Use the personal statement to tell us about your interest in the

Major/Academic programme you wish to study at LUMS (Minimum words:

200)

From a young age, my fascination with numbers and strategic thinking was kindled in an
unlikely place. I vividly remember, sitting under the shade of a tree, in a panchayat – a place
where the elders of a village sit together and decide matters related to the village, under the
leadership of a moderator - in Rahim Yar Khan, a small city in Southern Punjab where I grew
up. I was 10 years old when I overheard the Sarpant (Moderator / Judge) say, “Don’t play the
numbers game unless you’re an expert.” This phrase echoed in my mind as I learned about a
local who lost his harvest's grain in a card game.

Intrigued, I sat for hours with my elder brother trying to learn different versions of card
games. As I learnt more about the games, I realized these are different numbers games, than
those I was being taught at school. This was my first introduction to how numbers were
entrenched around us – it was a different lens through which I could view the world. The
revelation of how everything worked. I developed a keen interest for card games and
numbers and a deep unliking for gambling that day.

With cards, I helped teach basic probability to the students of government schools with Kar-
e-Kamal Welfare Foundation. The different sets made me realize not only their association to
numbers but to our daily chores as well. These calculations shape our modern world. From
textbooks to computer languages to massive innovations, they are evident all around us. I
remember going to a local political rally with my father after elections of 2013. The room
was filled with powerful and influential people. Curiosity led me ask my father about their
respected professions and he told me almost every one of them once worked as an
accountant at an organization. While it might not be true for a lot of people, but working on
an office desk, playing with numbers and exploring the opportunities they encompass has
always been very fascinating for me. I wish to fulfill this dream of mine, exploring
possibilities with numbers, and sitting in the classrooms of the SDSB, and the cubicles of IST.

My fascination with the field of Accounting and Finance was also significantly increased after
attending a talk hosted by Mr. Shazad Dada at Lahore, three years ago. This individual, with a
wealth of experience in the banking sector, opened my eyes to the profound societal impact
one can make through a career in finance. It was fascinating to learn how this field not only
offers deep insights into financial operations but also provides a platform to explore and
influence a wide array of sectors.

My academic inclination towards accounting and my proactive approach to learning are

pillars upon which I build my aspirations. I am convinced that these skills, coupled with the
right opportunities, will pave my way to becoming a successful Finance professional. My
journey so far can be likened to crafting the perfect combination of cards – while I may not
have gotten all the Aces, each new card that I pick, brings me closer to my ultimate
ambition: achieving excellence in a field that often seems daunting but is endlessly
rewarding.
Discuss your ambitions, skills, and experience, and how they will help you succeed in your
chosen Major/Academic programme. (Minimum words: 200)

Growing up in Rahim Yar Khan was like living in a bubble with limited exposure and
repetitive routines inside the fields. My father, an exception in our family, was a self-taught
entrepreneur whose ventures brought a significant shift in our lifestyle. His ability to
transcend our agrarian roots and embrace urban possibilities has been profoundly
influential. This transition from rural simplicity to urban dynamism not only highlighted the
transformative power of entrepreneurial spirit but also inspired me to forge my path.

Fueled by my passion for cricket, and inspiration drawn from my father, I myself started an
entrepreneurial venture, along with two of my friends, Taaha and Dawood. Using our
network of friends, in different educational institutes of our not so big city, we contacted the
students and administration, marketing a cricket tournament that we wanted to start. The
response from the potential participants was not very welcoming at first, since registering
the team required a fee, which not everyone was willing to pay. At first, we could only get 6
teams on board. The funds that we raised were not even enough to pay for the venue, let
alone other expenses. However, we were so determined that we decided to not give up on
this one, and decided to fund the rest from our combined pocket money savings. As we had
anticipated, the first tournament was a huge success, and we were soon being approached
by a number of teams for registrations. It has been good 2 years since we started, and the
venture, now named ‘ Futlife’ has been a great success, with a total of 18 teams participating
in tournaments every two months. We hope that this platform will change the cricketing
culture in our city, and provide a great opportunity to thousands of aspiring cricketers who
did not have an appropriate platform earlier. This experience of creating and growing Futlife
from scratch was exhilarating, combining my interests in strategy, organization, and
entrepreneurship.

My journey, from decoding the odds in a card game to establishing a successful platform for
local sports, underscores my deep-rooted interest in the strategic and numerical aspects of
management and entrepreneurship. At LUMS, I am excited about the prospect of further
developing these interests. I am particularly drawn to ACF, as it aligns perfectly with my
experiences and aspirations. I am eager to explore how this program will refine my skills and
broaden my perspective, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to both the academic
community and society at large.