Profile
Dr. Shehla Javed Akram is a distinguished entrepreneur as CEO Don Valley and the first woman Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). She has been a strong advocate for women’s economic empowerment and has played a pivotal role in promoting female entrepreneurship across Pakistan. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to leadership, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Early Education and Journey into Medicine
Q: Dr. Shehla, let’s start with your early education and how your journey in medicine began.
Dr. Shehla:I am Dr. Shehla Javed Akram. By qualification, I did my MBBS from King Edward Medical University. After that, I went abroad and studied at the University of London as a DTM mentor student. When I came back to Pakistan, I completed my DCH at Mayo Hospital. Learning has always been very close to my heart, so I continued my education even after that. Recently, I’ve completed my PhD in Public Health. Over the years, I also studied quality assurance and HR management—just to understand how these things work. I believe that if you have to advise people, you must know the subject deeply, and the best way to know is to study it. I’m not after degrees, to be honest—it’s the knowledge that interests me. My research has been mostly around vaccines, women’s healthcare, and the health and nutrition issues faced by Pakistani women—both physical and mental. I’ve always wanted to understand how our culture impacts women’s health and what can be done to improve it.
Starting Clinical Nutrition in Pakistan
Q: After all your studies, what motivated you to shift from government practice to private innovation?
Dr. Shehla :After completing my studies, I couldn’t continue with the government job because of family commitments. My husband was equally busy in his medical practice, and with kids, it was difficult to manage emergencies and long hours. So I started thinking—how can I still practice as a doctor but in my own way? That’s when I realized Pakistan didn’t have clinical nutrition as a practice. It was a new idea at that time—this is about 40 years ago. It allowed me to work at my own pace, without emergencies, and still stay connected to healthcare. Later, I started teaching clinical nutrition at the Home Economics College. The students were very interested because they saw a future in it. Today, many women are practicing clinical nutrition, even online, and earning from it without compromising their family life. That makes me proud—it was a good start.
The Birth of a Private Hospital and ICU Services
Q: You also played a key role in introducing emergency ICUs in the private sector. How did that come about?
Dr. Shehla :When we came back from the UK, we noticed that proper emergency ICU facilities were missing in private hospitals. Government hospitals had them, but they weren’t fully functional. The idea actually came when my father-in-law, Justice Akram, fell seriously ill and needed such care—but it wasn’t available. That inspired us to set up an emergency medical ICU in the private sector. My husband, Dr. Javed Akram, was an expert in that area, so we worked together on it. It was challenging, but the satisfaction was immense. People appreciated it because it saved lives, and we received great recognition. When you do something with the intention to serve, Allah repays you in ways you can’t imagine.
From Healthcare to Pharmaceuticals
Q: Later you diversified into pharmaceuticals. How did that transition happen?
Dr. Shehla :It was quite interesting. We didn’t have big financial resources, but we wanted to stay connected to health. My husband and I decided to start something new—Dawn Valley Pharma. At that time, the Ministry of Health wasn’t very rigid about rules, and standardization wasn’t as expensive as it is today, so it was an opportunity for newcomers like us. I learned everything hands-on, even traveling to Karachi for training and guidance. That’s how our pharmaceutical journey began about 30 years ago, and today Dawn Valley Pharma exports to 22 countries. We supply to tenders, hospitals, and even the army. It’s been a long, steady growth.
Balancing Roles – Business and Family
Q: You’ve led hospitals, industries, and chambers. How did you manage it all?
Dr. Shehla :Honestly, my business grew along with my family. When we started our private hospital, I locked my house and moved my family to the upper floor of the hospital for five years. It was a huge decision, but necessary. We lived there, worked there, and that period became the turning point. I don’t recommend this lifestyle to everyone, but that’s what it took. Eventually, the hospital became one of Lahore’s most trusted names.
Leadership and Team Building
Q: What’s your leadership philosophy?
Dr. Shehla :Delegation of power. You can’t do everything yourself. You must select the right people, train them, and then trust them. I believe in observing people closely and learning from them. Listening is key. Many leaders fail because they don’t listen. You have to build a team that feels ownership and responsibility.
The Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Q: You’ve been instrumental in establishing the Women Chamber. How did that journey start?
Dr. Shehla :Back in 2003, I was elected to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry—the first woman ever to win that election. But I soon realized that although it’s a chamber for everyone, it didn’t really cater to women. Men treated me as an equal because I was an industrialist too, but many women didn’t have that comfort level or confidence. They were hesitant to even speak up. I wanted to change that. That’s how the idea of a separate Women Chamber was born. It wasn’t easy—legally, there couldn’t be two chambers in one city. We fought that for six years. With the help of President Musharraf, who supported the idea after a brief one-minute meeting, we finally got approval. It was a big achievement. The purpose was simple: to create a platform where women would be taken seriously, respected, and heard.
Women Empowerment and Financial Independence
Q: You’ve worked for women empowerment for years. What does it mean to you?
Dr. Shehla :To me, empowerment begins with financial independence. Many women—even wealthy ones—don’t have control over their own spending. That’s not empowerment. We need to teach women that earning isn’t enough—you should also be able to spend your money as you wish. Enjoy the fruits of your work. It’s your right. I’ve met women who own businesses but still can’t decide what car to buy without permission. That mindset has to change. Empowerment means freedom to make your own choices.
On Harassment and Workplace Challenges
Q: There’s also a dark side—harassment at workplaces and even at home. How do you see it?
Dr. Shehla :It’s real, and it happens at all levels—domestic, corporate, everywhere. I won’t deny it. The problem is that we often don’t even challenge small forms of harassment. A good step is to form committees or support systems where women can safely report and discuss these issues. Many don’t have the courage or the platform to speak up, so institutional mechanisms are very important.
Industry–Academia Collaboration
Q: How do you see the connection between industry and academia in Pakistan?
Dr. Shehla :It’s essential, but we need systematic implementation. Internships and placements should be properly managed by educational institutions. Students need exposure, confidence, and structured training. Without that, they can’t match the expectations of the corporate world. The collaboration should be real—not just on paper.
Pharmaceutical Exports and Growth
Q: Dawn Valley Pharma now exports to 22 countries. How did you achieve that?
Dr. Shehla :It took time and government support. About 12 years ago, the government was very encouraging towards pharma exports. They connected us with the right people, distributors, and forums. That helped us grow internationally. Today, we export across multiple regions, and it feels great to see Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry competing globally.
Women Chamber Success Stories
Q: Over the years, what success stories make you most proud?
Dr. Shehla :There are many. Around ten years ago, we collaborated with the World Business Angels Forum in Turkey. That opened new opportunities. We studied incubation models, success ratios, and started applying them to the Women Chamber. Today, our website has over 300 success stories of women who started from home and are now running businesses. These are ordinary women who transformed their lives—and that’s our biggest achievement.
Managing Stress and Staying Positive
Q: With so many responsibilities, how do you deal with stress?
Dr. Shehla :I honestly don’t feel stressed. Maybe temporarily, but not really. When you enjoy what you do, stress doesn’t stick around. I’ve always believed in staying positive and moving forward.
A Message for The Legacy Files Team
Q: Any message for The Legacy Files initiative? Dr. Shehla :I think your objective is very clear—you genuinely want to bring out inspiring stories and lessons. I wish you all the best. My only message is this: build systems. Be sold out to your purpose, and create a structure that sustains itself. Once a system works, everything else follows.