Hameed Haroon

Hameed Haroon was born in Karachi on October 27th 1952 holds a Master’s degree in Regional Studies (East Asia) from Harvard University and two Master’s degree in Political Economy and Development Economics, from the Boston University. He also holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics. From 1998 to date, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd. & Pakistan Herald Ltd., the publishers and printers of the Dawn Group of Newspapers.

Prior to this, he was Deputy Chief Executive. Mr. Hameed Haroon has thrice been President of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, the apex body of all the major Newspapers and Magazines in Pakistan. A leading culture,and human rights activist of Pakistan. He is also involved in the promotion of culture, music and performing arts, films and theater, visual arts, community services, conservation and heritage archaeology, education and health. He currently serves on various communities related to these projects. Presently he is Chairman Executive Committee for the development of Mohenjodaro Member of the National Cultural Heritage Committee and the Managing Trustee of the Mohatta Palace Museum. Hameed Haroon has made several appearances in the electronic media as presenter for UK’s Channel 4 TV in London and as a political commentator on New Delhi TV in India. He has also of directed plays for both theater and television in Pakistan. He has also been associated with the publishing of several books. He was the co-curator of the Holy Sinner- a mojor retrospective of the non-calligraphic works of Sadequain, Pakistan’s well-known prolific artist. He was also the moving spirit for the 600 page catalogue of this colossal exhibition, the lingest running art exhibition in Pakistan’s history. In 2004, he curated another spectacular exhibition entitled “Jewel in the Crown – Karachi under the Raj 1843 -1947. This exhibition brought together over 200 photographs, portraits and artefacts providing rare insights into Karachi from another era. Over 250,000 spectators viewed the magnificent exhibition and due to popular demand, this exhibition remained open till March 2006.

He was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civil award in 2004 and other awards both national and international for this contribution to arts and culture. In 2006, the Italian Ambassador Mr. Roberto Mazzaotta conferred the Italian Order of Merit award on one of the “most outstanding public personalities in Pakistan on behalf of the President of Italy. He is associated with the publishing and reprinting of seven books on art. Besides his varied interests, Hameed Haroon is fluent in Mandarin, Chinese and has one of the largest private collections of paintings and books.