Uqaab
BSG - Dalda Foundation Partnership
Purpose. Character. Leadership.
Across Pakistan, a quiet pattern keeps repeating itself.
A student excels in grades but struggles to speak with confidence
Another has opinions but hesitates to express them
A third wants to lead but doesn’t know where to begin
Different homes. Different cities. But the same questions rise in the hearts of young people everywhere:
“Who am I beneath expectations?”
“How do I make decisions I won’t regret?”
“How do I manage my emotions?”
“How do I lead when I’m still trying to understand myself?”
Research from Forbes, Korn Ferry, and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence highlights that when young people lack guidance in self-awareness, emotional balance, mentorship, and values-based decision-making, they are more likely to enter adulthood feeling unsure, overwhelmed, and disconnected – both personally and professionally.
And in Pakistan, where conversations about emotions are rare, mentorship is limited, and leadership opportunities are uneven, these gaps grow even wider.
Uqaab closes that gap, a space where Islamic values, self-awareness, and practical leadership join to shape confident, responsible young leaders.
“Leadership, confidence, and character building program to lead both morally and in professional life.”
-Qurat Ul Ain - Uqaab Cohort 1 - 4th year Biotechnology student - Hometown: Mandian, Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan
A Journey Rooted in Faith
Islam places deep emphasis on knowing oneself.
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.” (Surah Fussilat, 41:53)
Clarity, discipline, and emotional intelligence are not modern concepts, they are Sunnah-led qualities of a believer.
Uqaab helps youth develop the character traits the Prophet ﷺ exemplified…
Sabr, ihsan, shura (consultation), humility, courage, honesty, service, and leadership with imaan, adaab, and purpose.
“Uqaab is the program that gives u the value, value to your thoughts and thinking. Play role in grooming and provide path to build personality.”
Usama Jamshed - Uqaab Cohort 1- FST student- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
How Uqaab Works
A structured, interactive 16-week journey that builds identity, character, and leadership step by step.
- Weekly Sessions, Every Saturday, 3 – 4:30 PM
- Platforms: Zoom, Menti, WhatsApp
- 50 youth from cities and remote villages
- Small groups of 5–6 participants, guided weekly by mentors
It’s learning, practice, reflection, and accountability – all woven together.
“I will describe this great program as this program i.e Uqaab Leadership is not just a fellowship it’s more than that you will learn what the true leadership is about, how the empathy works. More than that it’s teach the real world experience.”
Saeed Anwar- Uqaab Cohort 1- 4th year English literature student- KPK, Pakistan
The Four Pillars
- Know Myself
Recognize your values, strengths, emotions, and purpose. Learn to see yourself through the lens of faith.
- Relate to Others
Build empathy, communicate with wisdom, listen with adab, and navigate conflict responsibly.
- Lead My Journey
Make decisions grounded in values. Learn discipline, resilience, responsibility, and self-leadership – qualities central to Islamic character.
- Impact My World
Translate growth into action. Serve your family, community, and peers with sincerity (ikhlas) and intention.
“Uqaab excels with a no-judgment culture, inspiring guest speakers, structured modules, self-reflection with Islamic norms. The best part – Quran verses formed a clear foundation for every module.”
-Sajeela Ilyas - Uqaab Cohort 1 - Alumna, now-MTO Namal University Mianwali, Pakistan
Misaali Uqaabi: Leadership in Real Life
Every cohort has youth who show sincerity, discipline, and consistent effort. These young leaders are recognized as Misaali Uqaabis:
- Special certificates
- Priority internship interviews with BSG or DFT
- Recognition in sessions, WhatsApp groups, and social media
This recognition is about demonstrating the character Uqaab stands for – humility, effort, consistency, and positive impact.
Why Uqaab?
- Faith-Aligned Principles
Leadership built on Qur’anic guidance and Prophetic character. - Practical Growth
Tools, activities, discussions, and real-life application. - Mentorship That Matters
Each Uqaabi has a mentor who listens, guides, and pushes them gently toward growth. - A Supportive Community
A no-judgment space where youth feel safe to speak, share, and grow. - Skills for Life
Emotional intelligence, confidence, communication, accountability, decision-making, and community involvement.
What Uqaabis Say
“I used to sit in class completely quiet. I wouldn’t raise my hand, I wouldn’t speak up. Thought of presentations alone made my heart race. My teachers barely knew I existed beyond my name on the roll.
Then I joined Uqaab.
It gave me presence, understanding of my fears, my shyness, and what held me back. I practiced, stumbled, and built confidence step by step.
By the end of Uqaab, I was standing in front of the class, delivering presentations that shocked everyone – my peers, my teachers… even me.
I learned how to communicate clearly, structure my ideas, and speak with authority. Skills I never imagined I’d have in my first year of BS Electrical Engineering.”
Munir Hussain - 1st year Electrical Engineering Student - PIEAS - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I still remember staring at my screen after F.Sc., scrolling through university websites, panic building with every passing day.
No clear guidance, past papers, or mentors. I felt completely alone on the road to university.
Recently, I went through Uqaab.
It didn’t hand me answers on a silver plate but taught me how to navigate uncertainty, set smart goals, communicate clearly, and stay resilient when things fall apart.
That’s how ‘Undergradify’ was born.
I wanted students, especially GIKI applicants, to never feel as lost as I did. So, we built step-by-step guidance, mentorship networks, test prep strategies, emotional support, and digital spaces where questions actually get answered.
Our goal is to reach 1,000 students in a year, with 70% landing admissions into programs they dream of.
Not only this, I transformed one of Uqaab’s modules into a full-fledged leadership conference at GIKI. Students even paid to attend the event.
Uqaab gave me the tools to guide thousands.”
Rehmat Ali - GIKI - 3rd year Computer Engineering Student - Skardu - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I didn’t have some big ‘idea moment.’ I was just watching the people around me fall apart, trying to choose a career.
During Uqaab, I realised that most students aren’t confused… They’re uninformed. Because no one explains them what a field pays, what it demands, or where it leads 5-10 years down the line.
So I decided to fix the part I could. Now I try to help students figure out:
- what career options actually exist
- how Pakistan’s job market compares to opportunities abroad
- what to do when Plan A (like MDCAT) doesn’t work out
- how to reduce the mental pressure of ‘making the right choice’
- where to find scholarships, deadlines, forms, and real procedure
I share this through FB groups, small community circles, and simple posts. Nothing fancy, just the kind of information I wish someone had given me when I needed it the most.”
Rawal Mushtaq - GCUF Alumna - BS Eng Literature - Tonsa Shareef - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I never thought I’d be trusted to lead anything, let alone in my very first semester. I kept thinking, ‘Leadership is for someone else, not me.’
Before Uqaab, I was the student who sat at the back of the classroom, earphones in, phone out, movies running on loop. Academically present but emotionally checked out. Zero interest, zero initiative, zero belief that he had anything meaningful to offer.
Then Uqaab happened.
At first, it was just small things…learning how to speak up, how to listen, how to take one step forward when you feel unsure. But slowly, those small steps built something bigger: Identity, purpose, confidence, teamwork, and the courage to actually lead.
Within 3 months, Alhamdulillah, I was selected as co-head of the Event Management Team for the Entrepreneur Society at BNU Lahore. What seemed impossible before became real and it all started with Uqaab teachings.”
Sharjeel Akhtar - BBA 1st Semester Student - BNU - Lahore - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I’ve met so many people who left studies early, stepped into the workforce, and felt like they had failed somehow. The shame, the fear, the embarrassment of starting work young…Just because life didn’t go as planned?
But here’s the thing: they haven’t failed. They’ve carried families, supported dreams, and built resilience most of us can’t even imagine.
That’s why I started this project named ‘Every Job Counts’, thanks to Uqaab…to break the shame around starting young, to show that these journeys are not just okay, they’re remarkable.
I interviewed brand managers and salespeople, people who began with nothing, faced barriers, and now stand proud. Hearing their stories, the struggles, the mistakes, the little victories, their pride in how far they’ve come, left me inspired, and made me question: why should anyone feel embarrassed for being the backbone of their family?
Life isn’t the same for everyone, and those who fight, endure, and rise early should feel proud, celebrated, and unstoppable.”
Hifza Tariq - BS Chemistry - UE Alumna - Burewala - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I never thought I’d be someone who could start a society. Because I used to wonder if anyone would listen to my ideas. Then I came across Uqaab. It helped me see what I was capable of…how to take action, lead, and connect with others.
That’s how PLCS – Pharmacy Leadership Development and Capacity Building Society – started.
Today, we have 50 pharmacy students volunteering, running table talks, counselling sessions, and even helping juniors find internships. I also started planting in the university gardens – just to make things a little better. At first, it was just me. Then others joined me as well.
Through this journey, I’ve met so many people, learned to be confident, and developed a kind of kindness I never had before. And it’s all because of Uqaab. It gave me the courage to try, learn, and keep going.”
Shahzaib - University of Sawabi - Pharm D - Final Year Student - Uqaab Cohort 1
“I walked in confused about my future. I walked out researching the future for thousands of students like me.
Before Uqaab, I was stuck in the same loop most pre-med students know too well: follow the crowd → choose medicine → hope it works out.
But something shifted during the program.I not only discovered his strengths, but also the myths trapping an entire generation. So I turned these myths into a mission.
Today, I’m building a project to collect real, ground-level career data for Pakistani students.
Actual statistics, real experiences, real opportunities.
My goal is to map 10 different careers with clarity, truth, and lived realities…so students from underserved communities can finally make informed choices.
And I’m not keeping it in a notebook. I’m turning it into:
- Public posts
- Short videos
- Free seminars
- A series of breakdowns for students who can’t afford counselling