ARIF ALVI

Arif Alvi, born on July 29, 1949, in Karachi, Pakistan, is a prominent Pakistani politician and dentist who has served as the 13th President of Pakistan since September 9, 2018. He grew up in an Urdu-speaking family originally from India, with his father, Dr. Habib ur Rehman Elahi Alvi, serving as a dentist to Jawaharlal Nehru before migrating to Karachi after the partition of India in 1947. Alvi received his early education in Karachi and Lahore before moving to the United States for higher studies. He earned a degree in dentistry from De'Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore, in 1970, followed by a Master's degree in Prosthodontics from the University of Michigan in 1975, and a Master's in Orthodontics from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco in 1984.

As a reputable dentist in Karachi, Alvi founded the Alvi Dental Hospital in 1974. He held several significant positions in the dental field, including the presidency of the Pakistan Dental Association and the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, and served as a member of the FDI World Dental Federation Council. His political career began with active participation in student politics, later taking a formal shape with the foundation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996, which he co-founded with Imran Khan. Alvi played a crucial role in drafting the party's constitution and manifesto, organizing and expanding its base.

Alvi first contested general elections in 1997 and 2002 without success, but his persistence paid off in the 2013 general elections when he was elected as a Member of the National Assembly from Karachi's NA-250 constituency. As an MNA, he was known for his active involvement in legislative matters, particularly in the health and IT sectors. He chaired the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, where he advocated for significant reforms and improvements in Pakistan's digital and IT landscape.

In 2018, Alvi was nominated as PTI's candidate for the presidency and was elected by the Electoral College, taking office on September 9, 2018. As president, he has focused on initiatives related to health, education, digital transformation, and social issues. He has been an advocate for dental health and oral hygiene and has continued to support efforts in these areas from his presidential position. Alvi is married to Samina Alvi, and they have four children. Known for his calm demeanor and articulate speech, he has also been active on social media, engaging with the public and promoting PTI's policies and initiatives. Throughout his career, Alvi has balanced his professional expertise in dentistry with his political ambitions, making significant contributions to both fields, and his presidency marks a continuation of his commitment to public service and national development.

REFERENCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arif_Alvi