Javed Malik: From diplomat to global connector; a Dubai success story

Dubai: From television screens to diplomatic missions and now the helm of global business networking, Javed Malik’s career is a masterclass in adaptability, leadership, and vision, all set against the vibrant, ever-evolving backdrop of Dubai.

A long-time UAE resident, Malik is widely respected as one of the most influential and accomplished Pakistani expatriates in the region. His multifaceted career, spanning diplomacy, media, entrepreneurship, and international networking, is a direct reflection of the global spirit that defines Dubai.

Javed Malik who has served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain and Ambassador-at-Large in UAE; sat down with Gulf News for an exclusive interview and opened up about his success story since he moved to Dubai.

Dubai: The launchpad

“Dubai didn’t just give me a place to live, it gave me a platform to grow, connect, and thrive,” said Malik. “This city has a unique energy that pushes you to think bigger and reach higher,” he added.

His association with Dubai began in the mid-1990s and quickly turned into a permanent move, as he saw potential beyond what traditional career paths offered in London or Pakistan. He founded his first company in Dubai Media City, working in media consultancy and strategic communications. Simultaneously, he entered the booming real estate market, which Malik described as a “transformative phase that taught me how to navigate opportunity and risk in equal measure.”

Today, his business portfolio includes investments and advisory services across the UAE, UK, and other global markets. “Entrepreneurship is about understanding timing, and Dubai gave me the right moment, the right space, and the right environment to take that leap,” he noted.

From media to diplomacy

Malik’s media rise came with ARY News, where he was a founding member and host of “Insight with Javed Malik’, a popular current affairs talk show that aired for over a decade. “Media gave me a voice, and more importantly, access to the minds shaping public policy and opinion. That is where I learned that information, when handled responsibly, is power.”

His calm, refined interviewing style stood out in a competitive space. “I always believed that you can be respectful and still ask tough questions, viewers appreciate sincerity, not sensationalism,” he believed.

But after hundreds of interviews and more than a thousand episodes, Malik began to feel the limitations of media. “Television can start conversations, but I wanted to be in the room where decisions were being made. That is when diplomacy called,” he revealed.

A diplomat’s mission

His appointment as Pakistan’s Ambassador, a unique distinction for someone from the private sector, marked a pivotal moment. Serving across multiple governments, Malik focused on economic diplomacy, diaspora engagement, and fostering international cooperation.

“Diplomacy, to me, is about building trust and turning relationships into results. I brought the mindset of an entrepreneur into diplomacy, solution-oriented, agile, and always focused on outcomes,” he explained.

Malik played key roles in organising the UK — Pakistan Investment Conference and the Pakistan — UAE Business Opportunities Forum, and launched the Pakistan Overseas Forum under the patronage of then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “Engaging the diaspora was not just about sentiment, it was about strategy. These are people with influence, ideas, and investments that can transform Pakistan’s future,” he noted.

As Ambassador to Bahrain, Malik helped elevate relations to a strategic level, culminating in the landmark King Hamad University of Medical Sciences project in Islamabad. “It was a proud moment, a symbol of shared values, vision, and friendship.”

Diplomat Business Club

Post-diplomacy, Malik returned to the private sector with a broader mission, to blend business and diplomacy. This vision gave birth to the Diplomat Business Club, headquartered in Dubai and now active across multiple global capitals.

“We are not just a networking platform. We are a bridge between innovation and investment, between governments and entrepreneurs,” Malik explained. “Dubai is uniquely positioned for this kind of global dialogue. It is a city where future industries such as AI, fintech and smart mobility, are not just being discussed, they are being built.”

The Club hosts summits, executive roundtables, and strategic dialogues that foster connections across industries and borders. “Connecting minds, creating opportunities, that is the mantra we live by,” he added.

Legacy rooted in Dubai

From humble beginnings in Islamabad to legal studies and political engagement in London, Malik’s journey has been one of constant reinvention. But he credits Dubai for giving his ambitions wings.

“It’s in Dubai that I found my calling, my career, and my family. It is the city that made me believe that success isn’t a destination — it’s a journey that keeps evolving, just like this city does.”

As he continues to expand his influence through diplomacy, business, and global thought leadership, Javed Malik stands as a living example of Dubai’s potential, a city that not only hosts success stories but shapes them.