Sidra Iqbal

Sidra Iqbal is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani broadcast journalist, television host, public diplomacy specialist, and youth development advocate with a distinguished career spanning media, corporate leadership, and global advocacy.

She is widely recognized as the host and producer of the current affairs program “Aaj Pakistan with Sidra Iqbal” on Aaj News, where she covers critical national and international issues with a strong focus on governance, leadership, and societal transformation.

Her global recognition began early in her career when she became the first Pakistani to win the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Championship in London. This achievement earned her recognition at Buckingham Palace, where she was awarded by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, establishing her as a leading voice in international public speaking.

In 2014, she received the GR8 Women Award in Dubai for Journalism, becoming the first Pakistani journalist to be honored by the UAE government for her contributions to media and advocacy.

Sidra has also represented Pakistan in prestigious international programs and fellowships, including the Commonwealth Study Conference Canada 2023 and the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). She has further served as an International Youth Advisor for the UAE Ministry of Education, contributing to youth-focused policy and development initiatives.

Before transitioning into television journalism full-time, she held senior corporate leadership roles, including Vice President at Ogilvy & Mather Pakistan, where she led major communication and national image-building campaigns.

In addition to her broadcast work, she actively engages in digital media through her podcast “Candid with Sidra Iqbal” on YouTube, where she explores themes such as leadership, financial inclusion, governance reform, and socioeconomic development in Pakistan.

Her work continues to position her as a key voice in media, diplomacy, and public discourse, contributing to conversations that shape Pakistan’s social and economic future.