Dr. Farooq Saeed Khan – Chairman Farooq Group of Companies

The mission of Farooq Hospital is to provide preventive, Curative Rehabilitative Medical Services and Health Education at par with international standards in professional environments

EVOLVE: Kindly share with us your academiclife and achievements?

Dr. Farooq: I got graduated in 1983 from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. After getting extensive training in medicine and surgery from Services Hospital, Mayo Hospital and General Hospital Lahore, establishment of Farooq Hospital Allama Iqbal Town Branch took place in 1986. Later on I did my DMRD in 1989. Another milestone was added after building a 300 bedded Akhtar Saeed Trust Teaching Hospital in 2000. Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College was started in 2008 keeping in view providing state of the art, medical education and producing graduates with highest academics, cognitive and psychomotor skills. This medical college is rated as one of the best in terms of faculty and beautiful campus. In 2012, we developed a new 220 bedded state of the art hospital named Farooq Hospital West Wood Branch, Lahore.

The only key to success is hard work. There are no shortcuts in life. Determination and the drive to achieve success while mitigating all personal joys; constantly keeping the mind occupied for new ideas and constantly being inquisitive about all things in life

EVOLVE: How do you manage functioningon diversified and divergent ventures simultaneously,and how have you approachedthe change?

Dr. Farooq: The only key to success is hard work. There are no shortcuts in life. Determination and the drive to achieve success while mitigating all personal joys. Constantly keeping the mind occupied for new ideas and constantly being inquisitive about all things in life. Questioning the existence of everything and diving into the depths of all things possible. Going beyond than what a normal individual can foresee. Infiltrating oneself to the core of all challenges being faced and then digging out all useful possibilities and overcoming them.

EVOLVE: What made you to opt medical asa profession?

Dr. Farooq: Serving humanity is the main aim to opt medical as a profession. Moreover, to fulfill the need for sound and experienced doctors for the country along with the prospect of helping individuals mentally and physically was also the main motive; a determination for a noble profession.You can also give a reference of our trust hospital, Akhtar Saeed trust hospital, which is a 300 bed hospital in EME. This hospital provides medical / surgical facilities to the poor masses of the community.
EVOLVE: Kindly update our readers onthe operative side of Farooq Hospital andAkhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College(AMDC), and their latest medical equipmentalong with the qualitative human resource.

Dr. Farooq: Mission of Farooq Hospital is to Provide Preventive, Curative Rehabilitative Medical services and Health education at par with international standards in professional environments & at a cost that the community
can afford. If I talk about Akhtar Saeed Medical and DentalCollege, our commitment will be demonstrated by fostering leadership, advancing knowledge, promoting justice and embracing change. Our mission is to advance the practice of Pharmaceutical Care and its role in the Healthcare System for the benefit of patient and societythrough education, research and service.

EVOLVE: How was the idea of Mall ofDefence originated? Brief us a little moreon the project, and that how is it differentwhen compared to other malls of Lahore?

Dr. Farooq: Actually I was searching for the gap in the Pakistan business industry. As now a days people prefer to shop in a centralized environment, where they can find all the necessities and leisure under one roof rather than
going from shop to shop in busy markets. Mall of Defence will not just going to be a shopping mall, but a complete family entertainment with the biggest indoor Playland of Pakistan, national and international brands, and indoor ice skating. As compared to other malls, our 60% covered area is specifically dedicated for common areas and entertainment, and the leasable area is only 40%.

EVOLVE: What other projects do you havein pipeline?

Dr. Farooq: All future endeavors would lead to the benefit of Pakistan and wellbeing of the community in general. We are working to develop Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, as the biggest and most advance trust hospital of Pakistan.
Furthermore, we are also looking for opportunities in oil and gas industry.

EVOLVE: How well is your team effectiveand how are you adding in promoting theirskills?

Dr. Farooq: Constant motivation and grooming of employees aim to make a lasting impression on their minds and focusing upon them to achieve beyond the norm and foregoing their mistakes in order for better productivity in the
future. We also maintain a supreme relationship with them and always keep the doors open for advice and personal problems; because customers dont come first, employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers. Farooq Group of Companies is having more than 1300 employees atthis time, many employees started their very 1st career with us and they are still working with us after 30 to 40 years.

Never be pushed by your problems. I believe that for every person there is a low, to experience it is living, to accept it is adulthood, and to learn and rise above is to be strong. Because you cannot have a rainbow without a little rain

EVOLVE: There are highs and lows in peoplescareer through which they learn lessons.Which hefty lesson did you learn andeven still remember?

Dr. Farooq: There are highs and lows in every ones career but one needs to be prepared for these ups and downs and try to learn from these circumstances. Never be pushed by your problems. I believe that for every person there
is a low, to experience it is living, to accept it is adulthood, and to learn and rise above is to be strong; because you cannot have a rainbow without a little rain.

EVOLVE: What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced in your career so far?

Dr. Farooq: If you believe it, you will work hard and will eventually see opportunities. If you believe it wouldnt, you will always see obstacles and challenges. It totally depends on someones mentality. So as such I didnt face
any big challenge in my career. No challenge is big enough if you put your mind to solving it. With firm determination and rationalizing the difficulty along with help from Almighty ALLAH, anything is possible.

EVOLVE: How would you define entrepreneurship?How can one make it triumphant?

Dr. Farooq: The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. It may be defined as a constant involvement of the mind and body towards successfully completing each task at hand and the power of a broad vision for the future. Not
backing out no matter what the challenge might be. Self-belief and confidence to achievement is

Be curious, ask questions, and then go out and search for answers. Keep trying out new things and keep an open mind, Sometimes the story you really want to see in this world is something you need to bring about

vital. Believing in advice and discussion with everyone from a laborer to a CEO.

EVOLVE: Your message for our readers EVOLVE Magazine.

Dr. Farooq: Be curious, ask questions, and then go out and search for answers. Keep trying out new things and keep an open mind. Dont be discouraged if you dont like something the first time. The important thing is you gave it a chance. I believe, sometimes the story you really want to see in this world is something you need to bring about.