Sindhi
Sindhi may refer to:
*something from, or related to Sindh, a province of Pakistan
* Sindhi people, an ethnic group from the Sindh region
* Sindhi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by them
People with the name
* Sarkash Sindhi (1940–2012 ...
: سلطانا آپي)is a Pakistani
media mogul
A media proprietor, media mogul or media tycoon refers to a entrepreneur who controls, through personal ownership or via a dominant position in any media-related company or enterprise, media consumed by many individuals. Those with significant co ...
, television director, and producer who is the founder of Hum Network Limited.
Siddiqui is an active director of Hum Network Limited and the president of Hum Network Limited.
By virtue of that she became the first woman in Pakistan to establish a TV station quite successfully in a matchless mode and wa awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz for the same in 2021 by the
President of Pakistan
The president of Pakistan ( ur, , translit=s̤adr-i Pākiṣṭān), officially the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan and the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Personal life
She was born in
Hyderabad, Sindh
Hyderabad ( Sindhi and ur, ; ) is a city and the capital of Hyderabad Division in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the second-largest city in Sindh, and the eighth largest in Pakistan.
Founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro of the ...
, into a Siddiqui family domiciled therein, one of ten children. She received her early education from government schools in Hyderabad.
Career
Sultana started her career from PTV as a producer in
Karachi
Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former c ...
in 1974. In 2004 she founded ''Eye Television Network,'' now known a "Hum Network Limited" under which her own four cable channels are working, including "Hum TV". Under her direction HUM TV has received Pakistan's Lux Style Awards four years in a row. She is the only woman in Asia who started or owned a TV channel.
As a director she remained inactive ten years before her latest drama serial Zindagi Gulzar Hai, a critically acclaimed serial that has been praised for "breaking the ice across the borders of Pakistan and India in current times" featuring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed. Siddiqui has also produced children's television, musical performances, television films, serials and documentaries.
As a public speaker, Sultana has spoken on many local and international platforms, including the 2013 US Islamic World Forum held in
Doha, Qatar
Doha ( ar, الدوحة, ad-Dawḥa or ''ad-Dōḥa'') is the capital city and main financial hub of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf coast in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor, it is home to most of the cou ...
and the 2014 Women Leadership Forum held in Silicon Valley, California.
Sultana has won numerous awards, including the Best Producer of a Drama Serial, Best Producer of a Music Production, the Hazrat Khadijat ul Kubra Award, Women of Vision Award,
Nigar Award
The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards ...
, the Gold Medal Award, Sindh Graduates Association Award, and the
Pride of Performance
The Pride of Performance ( ur, ), officially known as Presidential Pride of Performance, is an award bestowed by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to recognize people with "notable achievements in the field of art, science, literature, sports, an ...
Award from the Government of Pakistan. Her work is well known for its attention to social issues and its focus on female empowerment. Siddiqui has represented Pakistan in numerous international workshops and seminars.
In 2014, Sultana Siddiqui was awarded the "Leadership Award 2014" by CEO Club & Manager Today Magazine, recognising her work as a "true entrepreneur and leader of
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
who is steering the nation and nurturing the upcoming generation with hope and professionalism". During this year Sultana Siddiqui was also featured in the best-selling book, "100 Performing CEOs & Leaders of Pakistan".
In January 2015, Sultana Siddiqui was recognised for the contribution to the entertainment industry with the Scroll of Honour award at the 5th GR8! Women Awards held in
Dubai
Dubai (, ; ar, wikt:دبي, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates#Major cities, most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 ...
. The awards ceremony is held every year by the Indian Television Academy to celebrate the contributions made by women in various fields, including art, cinema, environment, entrepreneurship and education.
Siddiqui founded the Karachi Film Society (KFS) in 2017. The nonprofit society hosts seminars, workshops, and festivals to promote film and drive the Pakistani film industry in new and creative ways. KFS is also the parent body of the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF).
In 2018 Sultana Siddiqui collaborated with Zac Ch. from the
University of The Arts London
University of the Arts London is a collegiate university in London, England, specialising in arts, design, fashion and the performing arts. It is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea ...
to produce the first set of books on Pakistani Fashion to be held in a major western Arts university library. The books are titled Fashion Uncovered and are an introduction to Pakistani Fashion.
Television
* ''Anjaane Raaste'' – Producer
* ''Aur Zindagi Badalti Hai'' – Producer
* ''Dil Da Mamla'' – Director
* ''Doosri Dunya'' – Director
* '' Janat'' – Producer
* ''
Marvi
''Marvi'' ( ur, ) is a Pakistani drama series broadcast on Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) in 1993. It was a modern version of a Sindhi folktale, "Umar Marvi". It starred Ghazal Siddique as Marvi and Hassam Qazi as Umar. It was adapte ...
'' – Director
* ''Qismat Ke Sitaray'' – Director
* '' Sassi Punno'' – Director
* ''Shayad Kay Bahar Aaye'' – Producer
* ''Thori Si Mohabbat'' – Director
* ''Wafa Kay Mausam – Producer''
* '' Yeh Zindagi'' – Director
* ''Zara Si Aurat'' – Director
* '' Zindagi Gulzar Hai'' – Director – 2012–2013