Engr Iqbal Khan in 1962.
Engr Iqbal Ahmed Khan in 1970.
Iqbal Khan in 1969.
Young Iqbal Ahmed Khan was a bright child. For his family, it was a dream come true when he was admitted to DJ Government Science College, Marie Colaco School, Saddar, Karachi, having secured first division in his matriculation. His one goal was to enter the only engineering college in Karachi: NED Government Engineering College. With further determination, he secured 12th position on the Intermediate Examination administered by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Karachi which got him into NED College with ease.
NED Govt. Engineering College - Mechanical Class of 1969.
The year was 1965. There was a war going on between India and Pakistan. The lawn of the college was being dug with trenches and, during the air raids, sirens would blare and everyone had to take shelter within the safety of the trenches.
At the time, the NED College was an exemplary facility offering a boys' hostel. Iqbal, being a resident of Karachi, never used this facility but made a lot of good friends there.
Back then, the first year at NED was a common year and the specialties in further engineering education were granted to the students on the basis of marks obtained during this time. Iqbal wished to be a Mechanical Engineer, so, along with his friends, he worked very hard and got into the Mechanical Engineering Department in his second year. He obtained his degree in Mechanical Engineering, first division.
While on campus, Iqbal was the Joint Secretary in Social Activities. Dramas, debates and Mushairas were among the many social activities he arranged.
It was an uphill battle for Iqal to secure his first job. Eventually, he found work with the American Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Company as a project engineer where the only project he worked on was the central air conditioning of the Karachi Terminal Building of Sui Southern Gas Company. As soon as the project was over, he left to join Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) as an assistant engineer. He worked for PPL for nine years. During his tenure, Iqbal had the opportunity to visit most of the Oil and Gas Facilities in Pakistan.
Iqbal Khan's Professional Career
Iqbal enjoyed his work and on 12th April 1977, he joined Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia. During his 30-year career with Saudi Aramco, he worked in all sections of the oil industry. His final position held was as a Supervisor of the Planning and Program Unit for Ras Tanura Producing Department overseeing, at the time, the production of 1.8 Million Barrels a day of Extra Light Crude Oil. As number two in charge, he was respected and appreciated.
Iqbal recalls first meeting his manager at the Ras Tanura Admin Building. The manager informed him that he was new to the Northern Areas and, therefore, would be appointing Iqbal as his assistant. Iqbal was allotted a new sedan car instead of the truck he had been driving. Shortly thereafter, Iqbal was promoted to Grade 14. When his manager thanked him, he stated, “Khan, you deserve it, and I am not giving this to you, you earned it.” Iqbal had previously been nominated twice for this grade but had been passed over because Saudis from other departments were being advanced. While long-awaited, the recognition for a job well done was rewarding.
Among his three employers, Saudi Aramco stood above the rest. Iqbal was dedicated to his job, did his best to meet all deadlines, and accepted all challenges. Alhamdulillah, he was well-paid and could provide for his family in Pakistan as well as offer his daughters the best education. It gratified him to have the means to make donations in support of those in need, never expecting something in return, as he was taught by his father.
Iqbal Khan's Retirement Article.
Upon retirement, on July 31, 2006, Iqbal was determined to keep himself busy. He joined the Institution of Engineers Karachi Centre-IEP. He later established the Saudi Aramco Ex-Employees Association, better known as SAEEA. He currently holds the position of Vice President of SAEEA. He also joined the NED Social Engineers Trust, which is known as NED-SET, and is the Joint Secretary of the organization. Most recently, he is a member of Citizens for the Environment (CFE) NGO keeping a watchful eye over unauthorized construction in the city. He finds that activities that keep him busy also keep him content.
SAEEA members Ghulam Qutubuddin Khan, Razi Khan, Engr. Iqbal Ahmed Khan, Kamal Ahmed Farooqi, Mohammad Abdul Matin and Shafiq Ahmed Khan.
Iqbal was an early contributor to AramcoExPats and the primary influence behind Asian Subcontinent news coverage as he has supplied monthly reports of SAEEA minutes, reunions, celebrations and more.
Iqbal married Zohra Iqbal on January 12th, 1975 in Meerut, India. Sadly, Zohra passed away on June 25th, 2022. They were blessed with two daughters, Dr. Kiran Khan and Erum Imran. Iqbal has 5 grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them.
Khan family photo - 1960.
Iqbal and Zohra.
Family Photo on Eid Day.