Dubai: Salman Iqbal’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of remarkable.
From his groundbreaking work in media and real estate to his bold investments in sports, Iqbal’s career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence. With Dubai as his launchpad, he continues to shape industries, push boundaries, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
As the CEO of ARY Group, the owner of Karachi Kings, a key team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and a media mogul with a global footprint, Iqbal has shaped multiple industries — from broadcasting and real estate to sports. But his journey to success began in the deserts of Dubai.
Schooling in Dubai
From his early days attending school in a rapidly developing city to becoming a pioneer in Pakistani television, Iqbal’s entrepreneurial spirit has shaped not only his own career but also the media landscape in Pakistan. His ARY Digital Network spans over 126 countries.
Iqbal sat down with Gulf News for an exclusive interview in Dubai to reflect on his transformative career, the challenges of turning his passion into a business, and the profound influence that Dubai, his adopted home for almost 50 years, has had on his success.
A humble beginning in Dubai
Iqbal reflects on the foundational years of his life in Dubai, a city that would shape not only his career but also the success of countless entrepreneurs. Born in 1974, Iqbal moved to Dubai at just two and a half months old, at a time when the city was still in its early stages of development. His schooling at Arab Unity School in Dubai, one of the few English-medium schools in the 80s, gave him a front-row seat to the city’s rapid transformation. “I remember the 80s when Dubai’s popular spots were limited to Deira and Bur Dubai,” Iqbal recalled.
The early entrepreneurial spark
In 1993, Iqbal returned to Dubai after studying in the United States and began his career in the gold business owned by his uncle Haji Abdul Razzak and his father Haji Mohammed Iqbal.
A pivotal moment in his entrepreneurial journey came during the launch of Dubai’s Shopping Festival in the mid-90s. Iqbal played a key role in the introduction of the Dubai Festival Gold Coin, marking the city’s rise as the “City of Gold.”
“I remember the moment when Dubai’s leadership asked us how to make Dubai a global symbol of gold,” Iqbal shared. “My uncle Haji Razzak’s suggestion of giving away a kilogram of gold every day during the Dubai Shopping Festival was groundbreaking. It helped establish Dubai as a global gold hub,” he noted. The late Haji Abdul Razzaq who owned ARY Gold, one of the pioneers of gold business in Dubai, was also the first to introduce gold bars with ‘Dubai’ stamp on them.
Reluctant media start
By 1999, Iqbal’s ambitions shifted to media. He launched the first-ever Pakistani satellite television station in 2000, marking the beginning of his journey into the entertainment industry. It was the first major privately owned Urdu television channel in Pakistan.
Transitioning from banking, finance and gold market to media was a significant challenge. At the time, networks like Star Plus and Zee TV dominated the South Asian entertainment market. But Iqbal and his team were determined to carve out a new niche, focusing on Pakistani dramas and content. Despite early setbacks, ARY’s programming began to gain traction, eventually growing into one of the largest media networks in the region.
“At first, no one wanted to watch Pakistani content. But we were persistent, and today we have as many viewers in Pakistan as in India, with over 250 million viewers in Pakistan and 500 million globally,” Iqbal explained. “Our YouTube channel alone has over 80 million subscribers.”
Dubai’s role in shaping success
Dubai has played a crucial role in Iqbal’s entrepreneurial evolution. “Dubai taught me the value of hard work, innovation, and global thinking,” he said. The city’s rapid growth helped solidify his businesses, and it continues to be a cornerstone of his empire.
Seven minutes episodes
As ARY Group continues to evolve, Iqbal is focused on the digital transformation of media. The rise of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook has revolutionised content consumption, particularly among younger audiences who prefer shorter, more engaging videos.
“Digital media is where the future lies. People want content that’s fast and easy to consume. We are launching short-form dramas with episodes as brief as seven minutes,” revealed Iqbal. “The competition now isn’t just from traditional broadcasters but from anyone with a digital device making content.”
Pioneers of digital media
Under Iqbal’s leadership, ARY has become one of the pioneers in Pakistan’s digital media space, expanding its footprint across social media platforms and launching apps to reach a wider audience. “We are already the largest sports media network in Pakistan, and we have embraced digital platforms to extend our reach to new audiences,” he added.
Shaping Pakistani cricket scene
In 2015, Iqbal made a bold move into sports when he purchased Karachi Kings, the most expensive team in the PSL at that time for $26 million. It was a risky and expensive gamble, as the PSL was still in its infancy, and the state of Pakistani cricket was uncertain. “I remember when I bought the team, I was in London. People doubted the investment; some even thought it was a reckless move,” he recalls. “The media was skeptical, and many believed that no one could turn the situation around.”
However, Iqbal was determined to prove them wrong. When the first PSL season kicked off in Dubai in 2016, it faced challenges, including the fact that matches had to be held abroad due to the security situation in Pakistan. But the tournament turned out to be a massive success, with millions tuning in worldwide, marking the beginning of a new era for Pakistan’s cricketing scene. Iqbal’s Karachi Kings would go on to become a household name, captivating fans across the globe.
The moment of triumph came in 2020 when the PSL returned to Pakistan. Iqbal was there in the stadium in Karachi, witnessing 27,000 fans roaring in support. “That moment was magical. Karachi had been waiting for something good for so long. The fans, the energy — it was electrifying,” he recalled. He proved his critics wrong when his team lifted their first PSL trophy in 2020.
Unmatched opportunities in Dubai
Iqbal is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship, especially in a city like Dubai that offers unmatched opportunities for start-ups. “Dubai has been a launchpad for many entrepreneurs. People who came here with no background have now become successful developers, restaurant owners, and even billionaires,” Iqbal noted.
“Entrepreneurship is key to a country’s progress, and Dubai provides the perfect environment for new ideas to flourish,” he added.
A vision for the future
Looking back at his journey from a young boy in a desert to a global media mogul, Iqbal remains focused on pushing boundaries. “I never imagined we would reach this point, but Dubai has played an instrumental role in our success,” he said. “From being a small trading hub, Dubai has become a global powerhouse, and we have been privileged to be part of that growth.”