Back in the early 2000s, Pakistan’s media industry was at a turning point. Private television channels were just starting to take shape — and that’s when a young, ambitious man named Salman Iqbal stepped onto the scene.
Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Salman had business in his blood, but his vision went beyond traditional ventures. At just 28 years old, he launched ARY Digital Network, carrying forward the legacy of his late uncle, Abdul Razzak Yaqoob (ARY’s founder).
It wasn’t an easy ride. Competing against established players, Salman had to innovate constantly. He expanded the network from one entertainment channel into a powerhouse of over a dozen channels — from ARY News to ARY Musik, ARY Zindagi, and more — covering news, entertainment, sports, cooking, and even Islamic programming.
Under his leadership, ARY Digital Network became one of Pakistan’s largest media conglomerates, reaching audiences in more than 100 countries. But Salman didn’t stop there. He ventured into film production, reviving Pakistani cinema with blockbusters like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and The Legend of Maula Jatt under ARY Films.
Today, Salman Iqbal is not just a CEO — he’s a visionary media leader, sports franchise owner (Karachi Kings in the PSL), and philanthropist, shaping Pakistan’s entertainment and news landscape for decades to come.
