{{Short description|Pakistani organic chemist (born 1959)}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox scientist |name = Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary | honorific_suffix = TI SI HI |image = |caption = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1959|09|11}} |birth_place = Karachi, Pakistan |death_date = |death_place = |field = Organic Chemistry |work_institution = International Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences (HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry & Dr Panjwani Centre For Molecular Medicine & Drug Research) |alma_mater = University of Karachi<br/>Cornell University |doctoral_advisor = |influences = |known_for = Natural product chemistry <br /> Organic chemistry |prizes = Mustafa Prize Award in 2021<br/>Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award in 2007<br/>Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award in 2001<br/>Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Awrd in 1998 |footnotes = }}

'''Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary''' ({{langx|ur|محمد اقبال چودھری}}; born 11 September 1959) is a Pakistani organic chemist. He is known for his research in natural product chemistry and has published over 1,600 research papers.<ref name="PakistanTimes">{{cite news |last=Waqas |first=Mohammad |date=12 May 2015 |title=PCST declares KU professor most productive scientist of Pakistan |url=http://www.pakistantimes.com/2015/05/12/pcst-declares-ku-professor-most-productive-scientist-of-pakistan-367854.html |work=Pakistan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508200430/http://www.pakistantimes.com/2015/05/12/pcst-declares-ku-professor-most-productive-scientist-of-pakistan-367854.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2016 |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> In 2015, he was recognized as the second most productive scientist in Pakistan.<ref name="PakistanTimes"/>

In recognition of his contributions to Sino-Pakistani research collaborations, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in China named a research center after him in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese University names it's research centre after Pak scientist |url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/chinese-university-names-its-research-centre-after-pak-scientist/ |work=Associated Press Of Pakistan |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese University names research centre after Pakistani scientist |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1867968/chinese-university-names-research-centre-after-pakistani-scientist |work=Dawn |date=27 October 2024 |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

==Education== Choudhary earned his BSc from the University of Karachi, followed by an MSc in organic chemistry from the same institution. He completed his PhD in organic chemistry at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi. His doctoral thesis was titled "The Isolation and Structural Studies on Some Medicinal Plants of Pakistan, Buxus papillosa, Catharanthus roseus, and Cissampelos pareira."<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty Detail - Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary |url=http://www.iccs.edu/faculty_detail.php?dept_id=1&faculty_id=56&parent_id=1 |website=International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429194356/http://www.iccs.edu/faculty_detail.php?dept_id=1&faculty_id=56&parent_id=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2016 |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in the United States.<ref name="pas">{{cite web |title=Fellows Of The Academy |url=http://www.paspk.org/fellow2.htm |website=Pakistan Academy of Sciences |date=26 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103012625/http://www.paspk.org/fellow2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2012 |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>

==Career== Choudhary has served as a professor at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research. He is currently professor emeritus at the University of Karachi and served as Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Experts warn government of famine threat in Pakistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/631044/newspaper/column |work=Dawn |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref>

He has held visiting professor positions at: * University of Rhode Island, United States<ref>{{cite web |title=Renowned Pakistani scientist to visit URI Sept. 20-24 |url=http://web.uri.edu/pharmacy/2010/09/08/renowned-pakistani-scientist-to-visit-uri-sept-20-24/ |website=University of Rhode Island |access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref> * Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia<ref>{{cite web |title=Seminar on Natural Products by Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary |url=https://ewarga4.ukm.my/ewarga/pdf/062011/13-42.pdf |website=Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia}}</ref> * King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia<ref name="Zahed">{{cite web |title=Prof Zahed receives prominent scholar (Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary) |url=http://www.kau.edu.sa/Pages-Prof-Zahed-receive.aspx |website=King Abdulaziz University |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> In October 2024, President Asif Ali Zardari reappointed Choudhary as the Coordinator General of COMSTECH for a second four-year term. He had previously been serving in the role since April 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prof Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary appointed as Coordinator General, COMSTECH |url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/prof-dr-m-iqbal-choudhary-appointed-as-coordinator-general-comstech/ |work=Associated Press of Pakistan |date=30 October 2024 |access-date=19 May 2026 }}</ref>

==Awards and honors== Choudhary has received numerous awards for his contributions to organic chemistry:

* Mustafa Prize (2021) for discovery of molecules with therapeutic applications<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistani medicinal chemist awarded Mustafa Prize for 2021 |url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/10/pakistani-medicinal-chemist-awarded-mustafa-prize-2021/ |work=Samaa TV |date=7 October 2021 |access-date=13 October 2021}}</ref> * Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan (2007)<ref name="pas"/> * Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan (2001)<ref name="pas"/> * Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan (1998)<ref name="pas"/> * Distinguished National Professor, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (2004)<ref name="pas"/><ref>{{cite web |title=HEC Distinguished National Professors Booklet |url=http://beta.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/HRD/FacultyHiringPrograms/HECDNP/Documents/Booklet%20of%20HEC%20Distinguished%20National%20Professors%20Program.pdf |website=Higher Education Commission of Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222213202/http://beta.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/HRD/FacultyHiringPrograms/HECDNP/Documents/Booklet%20of%20HEC%20Distinguished%20National%20Professors%20Program.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> * COMSTECH Award in Chemistry (2010) * TWAS Award (Third World Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award), Italy (1994)<ref name="pas"/><ref name="IAS">{{cite web |title=Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary profile |url=http://www.ias-worldwide.org/profiles/prof74.html |website=Islamic World Academy of Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032230/http://www.ias-worldwide.org/profiles/prof74.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> * Khwarizmi International Award by the President of Iran (2006)<ref name="pas"/> * Economic Cooperation Organization Award by the President of Azerbaijan (2006)<ref name="pas"/><ref>{{cite web |title=ECO Excellence Award – 2006 |url=http://www.ecosecretariat.org/ftproot/High_Level_Meetings/Summits/9th_summit/ECO_Award_2006.htm |website=Economic Cooperation Organization |date=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912181202/http://www.ecosecretariat.org/ftproot/High_Level_Meetings/Summits/9th_summit/ECO_Award_2006.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2016 |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> * Senior Fulbright Award, United States (1997–1998)<ref name="pas"/> * Gold medal of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (1993)<ref name="pas"/>

He is an elected fellow of: * Islamic World Academy of Sciences (2002)<ref name="IAS"/> * Pakistan Academy of Sciences (2003)<ref name="pas"/> * Third World Academy of Sciences (2003)<ref name="pas"/>

==Research contributions== Choudhary's research has focused on natural product chemistry, particularly the isolation and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. His notable publications include studies on cholinesterase inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and antibacterial compounds from various plant sources. He has also authored the book "Solving Problems with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy" published by Academic Press in 1996.

Selected publications include: * Studies on steroidal alkaloids from ''Sarcococca saligna'' with cholinesterase-inhibiting and antibacterial properties * Research on α-glucosidase inhibitors from ''Ferula mongolica'' * Investigation of alkaloids from ''Buxus papillosa'', ''Rhazya stricta'', and ''Alstonia macrophylla'' * Work on fungal biotransformation of terpenoids

==Controversies== Choudhary's tenure as director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences has been the subject of allegations and disputes reported in Pakistani media.

According to reports in Pakistani newspapers, critics including members of the HEJ Action Committee and University of Karachi staff have raised concerns about several matters. These include questions about the procedures for his reappointment as director over a 20-year period, allegations of post-retirement involvement in institutional affairs, and disputes regarding financial audits.<ref>{{cite news |title=UoK Faces Controversy Over ICCBS Director Appointment |url=https://academiamag.com/news/uok-controversy-over-iccbs-director-appointment/ |work=Academia Magazine |date=28 September 2024 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Unwarranted Interference In ICCBS Administration Sparks Outcry |url=https://academiamag.com/news/unwarranted-interference-in-iccbs-administration/ |work=Academia Magazine |date=12 October 2024 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

In 2020 one Choudhary's doctoral committed suicide. The reasons cited were of harassment from her supervisor<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Lens |date=2020-08-17 |title=Karachi University Student Commits Suicide Over Harassment |url=https://propakistani.pk/lens/karachi-university-student-commits-suicide-over-harassment/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Lens |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-23 |title=Sexual Harassment In Pakistan's Universities Is Driving Victims To Suicide |url=https://nayadaur.tv/2020/08/sexual-harassment-in-pakistans-universities-is-driving-victims-to-suicide/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=NayaDaur |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctoral student commits suicide in Karachi |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/655245/doctoral-student-commits-suicide-in-karachi/}}</ref>.

Former Higher Education Commission Chairman Tariq Banuri publicly criticized auditing practices during Choudhary's directorship, citing governance concerns.<ref>{{cite news |title=HEC Chairman Rejected Iqbal Choudhury's Allegations, Says, ICCBS Hiding Behind Federal Education Ministry To Avoid Financial & Academic Audit |url=https://academiamag.com/news/hec-chairman-rejected-iqbal-choudhurys-allegations-says-iccbs-hiding-behind-federal-education-ministry-to-avoid-financial-academic-audit/ |work=Academia Magazine |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> Following this, the government passed a resolution affecting Banuri's administrative authority.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haq |first=Riazul |date=8 February 2022 |title=Govt-led resolution strips HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri of administrative authority |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1673980 |work=Dawn |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rizvi |first=Safdar |date=26 February 2022 |title=KU's HEJ shields itself from HEC's probe |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2345322/kus-hej-shields-itself-from-hecs-probe |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

In December 2023, staff members submitted a complaint to the caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh containing allegations of rule violations and financial irregularities, accompanied by supporting documentation. The complaint questioned the approval process for Choudhary's appointments to the director position.<ref name="dawn2023">{{cite news |last=Ilyas |first=Faiza |date=11 December 2023 |title=Role of former ICCBS chief under the spotlight |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1796832 |work=Dawn |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

Questions have been raised in media reports about the volume of Choudhary's research output during his administrative tenure.<ref name="dawn2023"/> Choudhary has denied the allegations and maintained that he has international credibility in the scientific community.{{citation needed|date=January 2026}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=example Google Scholar profile]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Pakistani chemists Category:Organic chemists Category:University of Karachi alumni Category:Cornell University alumni Category:Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz Category:Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz