Salman Iqbal recently dropped a bombshell revelation about how he ended up running one of Pakistan’s biggest media empires. During a special interview with Waseem Badami celebrating ARY’s 25th anniversary, the CEO shared the unexpected journey that changed his life forever.
The Backstory: A Father’s Priority in London
In 1999, Salman Iqbal’s focus wasn’t on building a media empire. He was in London taking care of his infant daughter Summaya, who was dealing with serious health issues. Media business? That wasn’t even on his radar.
His family’s main business at the time was real estate in Dubai. Television networks and entertainment channels were completely different territory.
The Unexpected Call: “Just One Month”
Here’s where things get interesting. Salman’s father and uncle had just acquired a television channel and needed someone to run it… temporarily.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
“I asked them, ‘Why me?'” Iqbal recalled in the interview.
Their response was simple but convinced him:
- This industry needs someone sharp
- You’ve got the skills to handle it
- Just do it for one month
- We’ll hire a proper CEO after that
Salman Iqbal agreed to the temporary role, thinking it would be a quick favor to his family. Spoiler alert: that “one month” turned into 26 years and counting.
From Temporary Fill-In to Media Mogul
What started as a short-term gig became Salman Iqbal’s life work. The journey wasn’t smooth though – building ARY Network came with its challenges.
The Reality Check
- Building the network was tough
- Family kept encouraging patience
- Had to learn the media industry from scratch
- Gradually transformed ARY into a powerhouse
Today, ARY TV Network broadcasts around 10 channels and stands as one of Pakistan’s leading media companies.
Beyond ARY: Salman Iqbal’s Other Roles
The CEO role isn’t his only responsibility. Salman Iqbal has expanded his influence across multiple sectors:
Current Positions:
- CEO of ARY Group
- Owner of Karachi Kings cricket franchise
- President of World Memon Foundation
His involvement in cricket through Karachi Kings has made him a familiar name even to people who don’t follow media industry news.
The Lesson: Sometimes Plans Change
Salman Iqbal’s story shows how life can take unexpected turns. What was supposed to be a one-month favor became a quarter-century career that shaped Pakistan’s media landscape.
Discover more from Dailyinfotainment
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.