Arif Alvi, the 13th President of Pakistan, is a prominent figure in Pakistani politics and dentistry. This post delves into his life, career, and key achievements.

Biography/Wiki

Arif-ur-Rehman Alvi was born on July 29, 1949, in Karachi, Pakistan. While some sources cite different birthdates (August 29, 1949, or even 1947), his official documents confirm July 29, 1949. After his family moved to Karachi, he attended Karachi Grammar School, though he was later expelled. He pursued dentistry in Lahore from 1967, graduating from De’Montmorency College of Dentistry. His academic journey continued with a Master’s degree in prosthodontics from the University of Michigan in 1975 and another in orthodontics from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco.

Upon completing his education, he established the Alvi Dental Hospital in Pakistan.

Physical Appearance

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 80 kgs
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Salt & Pepper

Family

Arif Alvi is Pakistani by nationality and religion. His father, Habib-ur-Rehman Elahi Alvi, was a dentist in India who moved to Pakistan after partition; he notably served as Jawaharlal Nehru’s dentist. Alvi has two siblings: a brother and a sister. He is married to Samina Alvi and has four children: three daughters (Naima Alvi Bawany, Marhama Alvi Shah, and Radhia Alvi Sumar) and one son.

Professional Career

Dr. Alvi’s professional accomplishments are impressive. He chaired the First (1981) and Third (1987) Pakistan International Dental Conferences. In 1997, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He played a key role in formulating the constitution of the Pakistan Dental Association.

Political Career

Alvi’s political career began modestly as a polling agent before aligning with a religious party. His political involvement dates back to his undergraduate years when he joined Islami Jamiat Talaba. He unsuccessfully contested for the Sindh Provincial Assembly in 1979, after which he left his initial political party and joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996.

His journey with PTI saw him become President of the Sindh chapter and later Vice President in 2001. Despite losing further elections in 1997 and 2002, he served as PTI’s Secretary General from 2006 to 2013. His significant win came in 2018 when he was elected to the National Assembly and subsequently became Pakistan’s 13th President.

Facts

• Enjoyed outdoor sports like squash, cricket, and hockey in his youth.
• He is a dentist and politician.
• Reported net worth of approximately ?2 Crore.
• Was shot twice during protests against the Ayub Khan regime.
• Became President of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation in 2006.
• Enjoys spending leisure time with his grandchildren.

Key Milestones in Arif Alvi’s Life

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