Introduction
Pakistan is a land filled with architectural wonders. From the historical mosques and forts to modern buildings and skyscrapers, the country’s architecture is both diverse and impressive. However, many of us don’t know much about the architects behind these creations. To pay tribute to these great individuals who have made tremendous contributions to Pakistani architecture, here are 10 famous architects of Pakistan that you might not know about. Read on to learn more about their stories and amazing feats.
Naeem Pasha
Naeem Pasha is one of the most famous Pakistani architects. He has designed many iconic buildings in Pakistan, including the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque. He is also a recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Hameed Nizami
Hameed Nizami was an acclaimed Pakistani journalist, editor and publisher. He was the founder of Pakistan’s largest English-language daily newspaper, The Nation. Nizami was born in Delhi, British India in 1904. His family migrated to Pakistan after the partition of British India in 1947. Nizami began his career as a journalist with The Muslim in Lahore. He later founded The Nation in 1951. Nizami remained its editor until his death in 1962.
Nizami was a staunch supporter of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He played a pivotal role in the country’s independence movement. After Pakistan’s independence, Nizami served as the chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. Nizami received several prestigious awards during his lifetime, including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Pakistan.
Nayyar Ali Dada
Nayyar Ali Dada is a world-renowned Pakistani architect who has designed some of the most iconic buildings in Pakistan. He is best known for his work on the Lahore International Airport, which is considered one of the finest airports in the world. Other notable works by Nayyar Ali Dada include the National Assembly Building in Islamabad and the Karachi Expo Centre.
Born in Lahore in 1944, Nayyar Ali Dada studied architecture at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He later returned to Pakistan and established his own practice, Nayyar Ali Dada & Associates. Over the course of his career, he has designed numerous landmark buildings that have helped shape the skyline of Pakistani cities.
In addition to his architectural work, Nayyar Ali Dada has also been involved in teaching and research. He has taught at various institutions, including MIT and Harvard University. He has also served as a visiting professor at many universities around the world. His research has focused on issues related to architecture, urban planning, and conservation.
Nayyar Ali Dada is a true pioneer of Pakistani architecture. His groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on the country’s built environment. He continues to be an inspiration for young architects all over Pakistan.
Aisha Khanum
Aisha Khanum is one of Pakistan’s most famous architects. She has designed many iconic buildings in Pakistan, including the Lahore International Airport and the Islamabad Stock Exchange. She is also the founder of the Aisha Khanum Foundation, which promotes education and architecture in Pakistan.
Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi
Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, also known simply as Sadequain, was a world-renowned Pakistani painter and calligrapher. He is considered to be one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, and his work is highly sought after by collectors.
Sadequain was born in 1930 in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India. His family moved to Karachi, Pakistan in 1947. He began his career as a sign painter, and quickly gained recognition for his talent. He went on to study at the National College of Arts in Lahore.
After graduating, Sadequain traveled extensively, painting murals in public places all over the world. He also taught at various art colleges. In Pakistan, he founded the Sadequain Institute of Art, which offers free art education to underprivileged children.
Sadequain passed away in 1987, but his legacy continues to live on through his art. His paintings can be found in major museums and private collections all over the world.
Iqbal Masih
Iqbal Masih was one of Pakistan’s most famous architects. He was born in 1935 in Karachi and educated at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. After working in several architecture firms, he established his own practice, Iqbal Masih Associates, in 1965.
His most notable projects include the National Assembly Building in Islamabad (1972), the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad (1973), and the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad (1976). He also designed several private residences, including those of former Pakistani Prime Ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.
Masih’s career was cut short when he was killed in a car accident in Lahore in 1979. He was just 44 years old.
Bashir Makhdum
Bashir Makhdum is a world-renowned Pakistani architect who has designed some of the most iconic buildings in Pakistan. He is best known for his work on the Lahore International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in Pakistan. Makhdum has also designed several other notable buildings in Pakistan, including the Karachi Port Trust Building and the Islamabad Stock Exchange.
Yousuf Khan Dehlvi
Yousuf Khan Dehlvi was born in Delhi, India in 1885. He studied architecture at the Aligarh Muslim University and later worked for the British Raj as an architect. In 1911, he moved to Lahore, Pakistan where he founded the firm Khan & Associates. He designed many notable buildings in Lahore including the Punjab University Library, Wapda House, and Gaddafi Stadium. He died in 1962.
Conclusion
Pakistani architects have made some amazing contributions to the world of architecture and it can be inspiring to learn about them. We hope this article has provided an insight into the talented men and women that are part of the Pakistani architectural industry, as well as giving you a chance to appreciate their work. From modernists like Ali Gonahi and Yasmeen Lari, to contemporary figures like Imran Qureshi, Pakistan is full of innovators ready to take on new challenges in architecture.
