Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary

Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
TI SI HI
Born (1959-09-11) 11 September 1959 (age 67)
Karachi, Pakistan
EducationUniversity of Karachi
Cornell University
Known forNatural product chemistry
Organic chemistry
AwardsMustafa Prize in 2021
Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) in 2007
Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in 2001
Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) in 1998
Scientific career
FieldsOrganic Chemistry
WorkplacesInternational Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences (HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry & Dr Panjwani Centre For Molecular Medicine & Drug Research)

Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary (Urdu: محمد اقبال چودھری; born 11 September 1959) is a Pakistani organic chemist. He is known for his research in natural product chemistry and has published over 1,600 research papers. In 2015, he was recognized as the second most productive scientist in Pakistan.

In recognition of his contributions to Sino-Pakistani research collaborations, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in China named a research center after him in 2024.

Education

Choudhary earned his BSc from the University of Karachi, followed by an MSc in organic chemistry from the same institution. He completed his PhD in organic chemistry at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi. His doctoral thesis was titled "The Isolation and Structural Studies on Some Medicinal Plants of Pakistan, Buxus papillosa, Catharanthus roseus, and Cissampelos pareira." He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in the United States.

Career

Choudhary has served as a professor at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research. He is currently professor emeritus at the University of Karachi and served as Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences.

He has held visiting professor positions at:

In October 2024, President Asif Ali Zardari reappointed Choudhary as the Coordinator General of COMSTECH for a second four-year term. He had previously been serving in the role since April 2020.

Awards and honors

Choudhary has received numerous awards for his contributions to organic chemistry:

He is an elected fellow of:

Research contributions

Choudhary's research has focused on natural product chemistry, particularly the isolation and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. His notable publications include studies on cholinesterase inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and antibacterial compounds from various plant sources. He has also authored the book "Solving Problems with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy" published by Academic Press in 1996.

Selected publications include:

Controversies

Choudhary's tenure as director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences has been the subject of allegations and disputes reported in Pakistani media.

According to reports in Pakistani newspapers, critics including members of the HEJ Action Committee and University of Karachi staff have raised concerns about several matters. These include questions about the procedures for his reappointment as director over a 20-year period, allegations of post-retirement involvement in institutional affairs, and disputes regarding financial audits.

In 2020 one Choudhary's doctoral committed suicide. The reasons cited were of harassment from her supervisor.

Former Higher Education Commission Chairman Tariq Banuri publicly criticized auditing practices during Choudhary's directorship, citing governance concerns. Following this, the government passed a resolution affecting Banuri's administrative authority.

In December 2023, staff members submitted a complaint to the caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh containing allegations of rule violations and financial irregularities, accompanied by supporting documentation. The complaint questioned the approval process for Choudhary's appointments to the director position.

Questions have been raised in media reports about the volume of Choudhary's research output during his administrative tenure. Choudhary has denied the allegations and maintained that he has international credibility in the scientific community.[citation needed]

References

  1. 1 2 Waqas, Mohammad (12 May 2015). "PCST declares KU professor most productive scientist of Pakistan". Pakistan Times. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "Chinese University names it's research centre after Pak scientist". Associated Press Of Pakistan. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "Chinese University names research centre after Pakistani scientist". Dawn. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "Faculty Detail - Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary". International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Fellows Of The Academy". Pakistan Academy of Sciences. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Experts warn government of famine threat in Pakistan". Dawn. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Renowned Pakistani scientist to visit URI Sept. 20-24". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Seminar on Natural Products by Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary" (PDF). Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
  9. ↑ "Prof Zahed receives prominent scholar (Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary)". King Abdulaziz University. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Prof Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary appointed as Coordinator General, COMSTECH". Associated Press of Pakistan. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Pakistani medicinal chemist awarded Mustafa Prize for 2021". Samaa TV. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  12. ↑ "HEC Distinguished National Professors Booklet" (PDF). Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary profile". Islamic World Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "ECO Excellence Award – 2006". Economic Cooperation Organization. 2006. Archived from the original on 12 September 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "UoK Faces Controversy Over ICCBS Director Appointment". Academia Magazine. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  16. ↑ "Unwarranted Interference In ICCBS Administration Sparks Outcry". Academia Magazine. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  17. ↑ Staff, Lens (17 August 2020). "Karachi University Student Commits Suicide Over Harassment". Lens. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Sexual Harassment In Pakistan's Universities Is Driving Victims To Suicide". NayaDaur. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Doctoral student commits suicide in Karachi".
  20. ↑ "HEC Chairman Rejected Iqbal Choudhury's Allegations, Says, ICCBS Hiding Behind Federal Education Ministry To Avoid Financial & Academic Audit". Academia Magazine. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  21. ↑ Haq, Riazul (8 February 2022). "Govt-led resolution strips HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri of administrative authority". Dawn. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  22. ↑ Rizvi, Safdar (26 February 2022). "KU's HEJ shields itself from HEC's probe". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  23. 1 2 Ilyas, Faiza (11 December 2023). "Role of former ICCBS chief under the spotlight". Dawn. Retrieved 29 July 2025.