Education
gift.edu.pk (opens in a new tab)
GIFT University
Founder & Chairman · since 2002
An HEC- and PEC-recognised university pairing academic rigour with entrepreneurship.
- Students
- 8,000+
- Founded
- 2002
Entrepreneur · Educationist · PhilanthropistMuhammad
Anwar Dar
- Founder & ChairmanGIFT University
- ChairmanDollar East Exchange
- FounderRoshni Homes Trust
Muhammad Anwar Dar builds institutions in education, finance and social care across Pakistan.
- Institutions led
- 3
I build institutions that outlast me. If you share that ambition for Pakistan, let’s work together.
“We believe in education that goes beyond the classroom — one that transforms lives, builds communities and creates leaders for tomorrow.”
Background
Muhammad Anwar Dar is an entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist. He founded GIFT University in Gujranwala in 2002 and Roshni Homes Trust, a family-style home for orphaned children, and chairs Dollar East Exchange.
Approach
Ethics first, academic rigour and practical experience. The same principles run through all three institutions, and through partnerships that now reach four continents.
Muhammad Anwar Dar
Founder & Chairman
The EmaanDar Tajar
The EmaanDar Tajar is his model graduate: an honest, learned and practical entrepreneur who turns knowledge into practical experience.
- 01
Ethical
Integrity, accountability and social responsibility come before profit.
- 02
Theoretical
Strong academic foundations, taught with human-centred, research-led methods.
- 03
Practical
Ideas become ventures through labs, Business on Campus and industry links.
Three institutions,
one purpose
Muhammad Anwar Dar leads three institutions in education, finance and child care, each built to last on trust and service.
Dollar East Exchange
Chairman
Currency exchange and home remittance; agent of Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria.
- Branches
- 50+
- Cities
- 32
Philanthropy
Support the trust (opens in a new tab)Roshni Homes Trust
Founder
A family-style home for orphaned children, open since 2002, where they grow up with care and schooling.
- Campus
- 8 acres
- Family homes
- 8
Bringing world-class practice home
GIFT University’s study visits to Germany and partnerships in Kazakhstan feed its AI Excellence Centre and industry programmes.
Germany study visit
Kazakhstan & AI partnerships
A life spent building institutions
Muhammad Anwar Dar’s milestones run from a children’s home in 1999 to national recognition in 2026.
1999
Conceives Roshni Homes Trust
A family-style home where orphaned children grow up with care, schooling and a future.
2002
Founds GIFT University; Roshni Homes opens
Both inaugurated by Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool, then Governor of the Punjab. GIFT University opens its doors on 30 September 2002.
2003
Dollar East Exchange licensed
Dollar East receives its State Bank licence and grows into a network of 50+ branches across 32 cities.
2021
Partners with the Gujranwala Business Alliance
Together they launch the International Business Growth Window, now connecting Gujranwala’s SMEs to Asia, Africa, Europe and America.
2026
Lifetime Achievement Award
Conferred by Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan at the APSUP Executive Body Meeting 2026.
Planning a partnership, visit or speaking invitation with Muhammad Anwar Dar?
Contact the office
Honours and recognition
Muhammad Anwar Dar holds the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Women Empowerment Award
Firsts for Gujranwala
- Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- IPO Roundtable with SECP and PSX
- AI Excellence Centre (AIXC)
- Pakistan Products House
Opening doors for women in business
Muhammad Anwar Dar founded Gujranwala’s first Women Chamber of Commerce at GIFT and partners with chambers across Punjab.
Lahore
Partnership with the Lahore Women Chamber
Gujrat
Gujrat women’s chamber at GIFT University
Growth windows on
four continents
Through the Gujranwala Business Alliance, Muhammad Anwar Dar connects local SMEs, startups and graduates to markets abroad.
- Growth Windows
- 9
- Diplomatic missions hosted
- 12
- Continents
- 4
KazakhstanAsia
UzbekistanAsia
TürkiyeAsia
Sri LankaAsia
PhilippinesAsia
West AfricaAfrica
South SudanAfrica
RwandaAfrica
RomaniaEurope
Welcomed by diplomats and institutions worldwide
Ambassadors, high commissioners and international bodies engage with GIFT University through Muhammad Anwar Dar.
Netherlands
With Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Netherlands
Uzbekistan
Meeting the Ambassador of Uzbekistan
United Kingdom
British High Commission delegation
United States
With the U.S. Consul General, Lahore
United States
U.S. Consulate delegation at GIFT
Commonwealth
Association of Commonwealth Universities
Sri Lanka
Pakistan High Commission, Colombo
China
BRI Excellence Centre with China’s Consul General
Moments of record
Photographs of Muhammad Anwar Dar with leaders, partners and students at GIFT University and abroad.
Leadership
Hosting the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly
Leadership
5th Convocation, GIFT University
Leadership
Welcomed at the launch of the Gujranwala Women Chamber
Global
Pakistan–Kazakhstan Growth Window
Global
Signing with Alem.ai, Kazakhstan’s AI centre
Global
Opening the Belt and Road Initiative Excellence Centre at GIFT
Leadership
First executive committee meeting of the Gujranwala Women Chamber
Global
Exchanging shields at a Growth Window ceremony
Global
GIFT delegation in the KAZSAT control room, Kazakhstan
Questions about Muhammad Anwar Dar
Short answers about Muhammad Anwar Dar, GIFT University, Roshni Homes Trust and how to reach his office.
Who is Muhammad Anwar Dar?
Muhammad Anwar Dar is a Pakistani entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist. He is the Founder & Chairman of GIFT University in Gujranwala, the Chairman of Dollar East Exchange and the Founder of Roshni Homes Trust, a home for orphaned children.
When was GIFT University founded?
Muhammad Anwar Dar founded GIFT University in Gujranwala, Punjab, in 2002. Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool, then Governor of the Punjab, inaugurated the university on 30 September 2002. GIFT University now teaches more than 8,000 students.
What is the EmaanDar Tajar?
The EmaanDar Tajar, or honest trader, is the graduate GIFT University sets out to develop: ethical, academically strong and practically skilled. The idea rests on three pillars, Ethical, Theoretical and Practical, and on the motto of converting knowledge into practical experience.
What is Roshni Homes Trust?
Roshni Homes Trust is a family-style home for orphaned children in Gujranwala, founded by Muhammad Anwar Dar. The eight-acre campus opened in 2002 and has eight family homes, where children grow up with care, schooling and a future.
Which awards has Muhammad Anwar Dar received?
Muhammad Anwar Dar received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan in 2026. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also presented him with the Women Empowerment Award, making GIFT the only university in Pakistan to receive it.
How can I contact the Office of Muhammad Anwar Dar?
The Office of Muhammad Anwar Dar is at GIFT University, near the BISE Office, Gujranwala 52250. Call +92 (55) 111 900 100 or email office@anwardar.com for meetings, speaking invitations and partnership enquiries.
Let’s build something that lasts.
For meetings, speaking invitations and partnership enquiries, contact the Office of Muhammad Anwar Dar.
GIFT University
Near BISE Office, Gujranwala 52250
Roshni Homes Trust
Gujranwala, Punjab
Through the Office of the Chairman