Architects of Pakistan: Pioneers Who Shaped Our Skyline

Architecture in Pakistan is more than just the design of buildings—it’s a record of our identity, culture, and progress. From Mughal-inspired domes to LEED-certified skyscrapers, Pakistan’s architects have sculpted our skylines and streetscapes with vision, artistry, and grit. This blog presents a curated list of 55 famous architects of Pakistan who’ve shaped the country’s architectural landscape across generations and disciplines.

Whether you’re looking for the best architects of Pakistan, exploring the list of architects in Pakistan, or wondering who is known as the architect of Pakistan, this comprehensive guide is your starting point. It’s also part of our ongoing Independence Day blog series, tying architecture to nation-building and identity.

List of 55 Best Architects of Pakistan

Here’s a list of 55 architects of Pakistan

Pioneer & Legend Architects of Pakistan

These individuals laid the foundation of Pakistan’s architectural identity post-1947. Their legacy continues to inspire modern practice.

• Habib Fida Ali: A minimalist modernist known for blending form and functionality with grace. He was Pakistan’s first formally trained architect from Karachi
• Notable Work: Shell House, LUMS campus buildings.
• Yasmeen Lari: Pakistan’s first female architect and a global voice for sustainable, humanitarian design. She shifted from modernist buildings to post-disaster housing.
  • Notable Work: Makli eco-village, Zero Carbon Shelters for flood victims.
• Nayyar Ali Dada: Celebrated for his fusion of tradition with modernism. He brought cultural sensitivity into public buildings.
  • Notable Work: Alhamra Arts Council, Gaddafi Stadium.
• Kamil Khan Mumtaz: An advocate of regionalism and Islamic architectural heritage in modern design. His work focuses on ecological sensitivity.
  • Notable Work: Beaconhouse National University campus.
• Arif Hasan: Urban planner and architect who champions participatory design and inclusive planning.
  • Notable Work: Orangi Pilot Project, Karachi Master Plans.
• Tariq Hassan: Known for his civic and institutional buildings with strong visual presence.
  • Notable Work: Multiple civic infrastructure projects in Islamabad.
• Shahab Ghani Khan: A corporate sector architect with a signature clean aesthetic and spatial clarity.
  • Notable Work: MCB Tower, Karachi.
• Abdur Rahman Hye (A.R. Hye): Among the earliest public sector architects of Pakistan, he introduced climatic responsive architecture.
  • Notable Work: Government buildings across Lahore and Islamabad.
• William P. Meredith: Foreign-born architect who helped design early civic infrastructure during the formation years of Pakistan.
  • Notable Work: Contribution to initial Islamabad layout.
• Dr. Gulzar Haider: A poet, professor, and architect who brought intellectual depth to architectural discourse.
  • Notable Work: Islamic architectural theory and practice.

 Modern & Post-Independence Architects

These are the architects shaping Pakistan’s modern face post-1990s—with a balance of technology, sustainability, and cultural relevance.

• Najeeb Umar: Blends modern techniques with traditional crafts in large-scale projects.
  • Notable Work: Civic centers and private educational campuses.
• Raza Ali Dada: Known for public projects that respect context while innovating spatially.
  • Notable Work: Collaborations with Nayyar Ali Dada on cultural centers.
• Amjad Ali Khan: Focuses on institutional design, especially within education and health sectors.
  • Notable Work: University master planning.
• Akeel Bilgrami: A Karachi-based architect with a reputation for high-end residential and commercial design.
  • Notable Work: Mixed-use towers in Clifton.
• Imran Qureshi: Merges visual art with architectural thought, especially in urban installations.
  • Notable Work: Site-specific architectural exhibits.
• Omar Hasan: Focuses on minimalism, energy efficiency, and modular construction.
  • Notable Work: Eco-villas and smart homes.
• Nayyar Javed: Works on improving healthcare infrastructure with practical, scalable models.
  • Notable Work: Modular hospital units.
• Imran Qadir: Advocates for vertical expansion and city densification.
  • Notable Work: Mid-rise apartment and office blocks.
• Saifullah Lone: Known for climate-responsive designs in northern Pakistan.
  • Notable Work: Resorts and public buildings in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Farooq Hassan: Combines design with architectural photography and education.
  • Notable Work: Documentaries on Pakistan’s changing skyline.

Urban Planners & Conservationists

These architects didn’t just build—they protected and preserved. Their work in conservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable planning has been essential in shaping public memory and civic identity.

• Zain Mustafa: A conservationist and educator, Zain advocates for reimagining Islamic heritage through spatial storytelling.
  • Notable Work: Sufi shrines, design education in heritage.
• Hammad Husain: A renowned conservation architect and academic documenting post-colonial architecture.
  • Notable Work: Preservation of modernist buildings.
• Saima Iqbal: Champion of adaptive reuse and community-driven heritage mapping.
  • Notable Work: Transformation of old buildings into libraries.
• Asad I. A. Khan: Expert in disaster-resilient and inclusive design.
  • Notable Work: Flood-proof homes in Punjab.
• Zohra Rahman: Uses design for advocacy in marginalized communities.
  • Notable Work: Women-led community spaces.
• Bilal Habib: Focuses on landscape and urban ecology.
  • Notable Work: Greenbelt development in Karachi.
• Marvi Mazhar: Heritage activist preserving Karachi’s old city.
  • Notable Work: Empress Market revival.
• Yasir Abbasi: Digitally archives Pakistan’s forgotten spaces.
  • Notable Work: 3D reconstructions of Hyderabad’s pre-partition sites.
• Sameena Nazir: Researcher designing gender-sensitive urban spaces.
  • Notable Work: Islamabad public transport redesign.
• Hina Ghani: Works on participatory low-income housing.
  • Notable Work: Co-created housing prototypes in Quetta.

Educators & Researchers

• Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed: Academic voice in urban governance and planning education.
  • Notable Work: Research on urban informality in Karachi.
• Prof. Mukhtar Ahmed: Architecture curriculum specialist shaping design education.
  • Notable Work: National policy on architectural pedagogy.
• Tariq Alvi: Combines art, writing, and spatial design.
  • Notable Work: Mixed-media spatial installations.
• Zehra Khan: Architect and anthropologist studying spatial gender politics.
  • Notable Work: Research on female mobility in urban Pakistan.
• Dr. Shama Dossa: Known for linking built environments to social justice and community psychology.
  • Notable Work: Studies on safe urban housing

Commercial & High-Rise Architects

• Syed Aftab Ahmed: Leader in skyscraper and commercial high-rise architecture.
  • Notable Work: Karachi skyline towers.
• Ahmed Javed Khan: Specialist in large-scale corporate offices and banks.
  • Notable Work: Office parks in Lahore.
• Murtaza Ali: Designs hotels and high-rise residences with modern tech.
  • Notable Work: Hospitality buildings in Islamabad.
• Najeeb Khalid: Merges engineering innovation with commercial design.
  • Notable Work: Mixed-use vertical hubs.
• Aamir Saeed: Focused on smart city-ready architecture.
  • Notable Work: High-tech commercial building.

Emerging & Young Architects (Under 40)

• Hassan Raza: Pushes sustainability and VR design in architecture.
  • Notable Work: Virtual architecture exhibitions.
• Zara Shahid: Advocates for female empowerment in design.
  • Notable Work: Community center designs in urban slums.
• Ali Murtaza: Known for adaptive architecture and minimalist housing.
  • Notable Work: Urban micro-apartments.
• Areeba Rehman: Integrates landscape and architecture for mental wellness.
  • Notable Work: Therapeutic spaces in hospitals.
• Daniyal Zahid: Merges AI with architectural design.
  • Notable Work: Smart layout systems.
• Mahnoor Khalid: Designs playful, inclusive learning spaces.
  • Notable Work: Kindergarten centers in underserved areas.
• Taha Ahmad: Promotes open-source housing templates.
  • Notable Work: Disaster-resilient prototypes.
• Shaheer Ali: Specializes in temporary architecture for cultural events.
  • Notable Work: Installations at design biennales.
• Abeer Gillani: Designs for climate adaptation in Punjab.
  • Notable Work: Water-sensitive architectural design.
• Hammad Nazir: Blends architectural photography with immersive design.
  • Notable Work: Photographic archives of vanishing architecture.

Cross-Disciplinary & Influential Architects

• Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarar: Works at the intersection of architecture, anthropology, and cultural studies.
  • Notable Work: Writings on colonial urban legacies.
• Sajida Vandal: Pioneer in heritage policy and cultural management.
  • Notable Work: Training programs for young conservationists.
• Sarosh Waqar Khan: Advocates for universal design and accessibility.
  • Notable Work: Design standards for disability inclusion.
• Urooj Murtaza: Uses architecture for policy advocacy and civic awareness.
  • Notable Work: Civic education spaces.
• Mudassir Azeem: Designs interactive public architecture and urban research.
  • Notable Work: Public installations and street art in Lahore

Final Thoughts

This blog is part of our Independence Day storytelling series, which explores how architecture contributes to identity, economy, and civic memory in Pakistan. From the iconic mosques and modern high-rises to socially impactful housing and gender-inclusive planning—these 55 architects are shaping not just skylines, but also the story of Pakistan.