Excellence beyond media ventures

ARY Digital Network is a game-changer in Pakistan's media industry with diversified interests under the leadership of CEO Salman Iqbal. ARY Digital Network is a game-changer in Pakistan's media industry with diversified interests under the leadership of CEO Salman Iqbal.

ARY Digital Network emerged at a time when there was dire need for quality news and entertainment in a nation full of Pakistani expatriates. The subsidiary of ARY Group, which was established by Haji Abdul Razzak Yaqoob in December 2000, is now led by CEO Salman Iqbal, a dynamic and innovative entrepreneur who helped it blossom into a global powerhouse within a span of 15 years.
To date, ARY Digital Network broadcasts 12 television channels into 120 countries worldwide, bringing a bouquet of extensive viewing content in response to the demands of the Pakistani audience.
Armed with risk-taking ambition and drive to cater to the community, Iqbal is a prominent figure that fuelled a spark in the development and growth of Pakistan's television industry, nurturing it from a $60 million market in 2001 to a $480 million industry today.
ARY Digital Network is one among many of his achievements, as the entrepreneur has also played a role in reviving Lollywood and establishing the Pakistan Super League, which further added a boost to the country's fondness for cricket.
Iqbal has rightfully earned a number of international laurels and accolades for his accomplishments and endeavours for being a visionary that has taken business risks in unorthodox areas and domains. 
A leader by birth
Iqbal has always envisioned excellence and success, two notable passions that he had inherited from his father Mohammad Iqbal, Chairman of the Group and his uncles, to serve as a progressive member of the ARY Group. Upon graduating from the University of Houston at the age of 25, Iqbal embarked on a journey to become one of the youngest media entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
He had dabbled in various businesses within the ARY family at first - ranging from treasury, gold and jewellery, asset management, as well as the construction and property sectors of the group's interests. With a head start on a route that "many would not have embarked on, and many are envious of today", he had then forayed into ARY media business.
ARY Digital Network was known as the Pakistani Channel at the time of its launch, and a year later transitioned to the media network it is today. Iqbal took over the business in early 2001 and led from the front with determination and hard work. Despite being a novice, he was able to turn the waves of time in his favour and transformed a 12-hour channel based in the UK to 11 channels within three years of taking over. ARY Digital Network now reaches Pakistan, India, North America, UK, Europe as well as the Middle East.
Under Iqbal's guidance and leadership, ARY Digital Network had paved the way for private media in Pakistan, thus creating a niche for Urdu-language content and programming. The conglomerate is now valued at over $1.5 billion.
Rise in ranks
ARY Digital, which is the Network's flagship entertainment channel, successfully ranks among the top channels in Pakistan. Securely holding the title for almost a decade, statistics show that ARY Digital is the country's most watched channel as well as the highest earning channel.
With Iqbal at its helm, ARY Digital formed strategic partnerships and content deals with renowned media establishments such as HBO, Viacom, Endemol and Celador, to name a few. This widened prospects and initiated expansion of diversified business interests in Pakistan. Hence, ARY Digital is credited with placing the country on the map in the world of media and entertainment.
Dedication to factual news
Pakistan was once deterred from free news, and viewers were forced to settle for limited information provided by a state-owned channel. However, all that changed with the coming of ARY News. Formerly known as One World, ARY News is the first private channel dedicated to news and current affairs in Pakistan, launched by Iqbal.
The channel soon became a symbol among viewers, giving them rights to information, as it embarked on a journey to break trends and deliver exclusive content. But Iqbal's plans did not end there.
Bouquet of entertainment channels
Aside from setting ARY News as a staple in homes of most Pakistanis, Iqbal introduced other channels that would soon become popular content providers. This included a music channel ARY MUSIK; an Islamic Channel ARY QTV; and a food channel ARY Zauq that broadcasts 24 hours a day. It also added ARY Zindagi to its portfolio, which is known as ARY Digital Network's second General Entertainment Channel. 
Breathing life into Lollywood
Pakistan's film industry was once fragile and at risk of being forgotten by audiences and investors alike. However, Iqbal stepped in to breathe life into the cinema world by bringing the best of Lollywood closer to viewers. Upon establishing ARY Films, Iqbal created a path to produce, market and distribute films "made in Pakistan" across the globe, which set a platform for novel directors and stars. This garnered attention and fuelled the release of quality films from Pakistan to the rest of the world, earning hordes of international fans. 
Going beyond broadcast media
Iqbal, armed with a vision and prowess of an innovative entrepreneur, ventured into the print domain. He had established Newsweek Middle East, which earned a footprint in the print domain. Published in Arabic and English is involved in exclusive news reports and features. Its portfolio includes exclusive interviews with the Rulers and Royal family members of various GCC countries, western leaders, international and Bollywood actors, Pakistani as well as Indian political leaders, to name a few.
Ventures into sport 
While media has always been the primary focus for Iqbal, there was much to achieve in other aspects. In the year 2015, he had acquired the franchise for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Infusing a zest for sports, the team participated in an engaging tournament that was hosted in Dubai in the last two years. Featuring teams that represented different cities of Pakistan, the matches charmed audiences as they battled for ultimate glory.
To date, the Karachi Kings reign supreme in terms of popularity and followers in PSL, all thanks to Iqbal's smart marketing scheme and foresight.
He is also the President of the T10 League, which promises non-stop entertainment within the game with international cricket players.
Iqbal's efforts created a stage that brought interest, energy and positivity back into Pakistan's cricket world.
Leading a conglomerate
There is no dearth of achievements under Iqbal's wing, as he progressively leads ARY Digital Network towards greater heights. With a conglomerate under his belt, Iqbal serves as the CEO of ARY Group and excels in his responsibilities, which include management and growth of ARY Traders, ARY Speed Remit and other organisations. Iqbal leaps ahead to leave a notable mark and undying legacy of the ARY Group.
List of accolades
From establishing a prominent media network to ventures into the world of sports and other industries, Iqbal has many achievements to his name. He has been acknowledged for his contribution on a professional as well as humanitarian level, such as:
Received the Sitara-e-Isar from General Pervez Musharraf, former President of Pakistan, for his active involvement and contribution during the earthquake disaster in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, in October 2005.
Nominated for the prestigious Young Global Leaders Award by the World Economic Forum in 2007.
In the same year, he was selected for Muslim Power 100, a prestigious list that names successful young Muslims for their contribution towards British Society.
Named one of the Most Influential Muslims in the World by Muslim 500, an annual international publication that was first released in 2009. The edition is collected by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan.
Won the Global Leadership Award 2016 at the Burj CEO Awards in Washington DC, US in 2016.