Sultana Siddiqui, also known as Sultana Apa, is a Pakistani media mogul, 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 South Asia to establish a TV station.
Personal life
She was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, 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 in 1974. In 2004 she founded Eye Television Network, now known as 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 serialZindagi 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 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 Gold Medal Award, Sindh Graduates Association Award, and the Pride of Performance 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 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. 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 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.
