Rizwan Aftab Ahmed

Rizwan Aftab Ahmed
Born
Pakistan
Occupationsregistered dietitian, healthcare entrepreneur
Websiteiamactivit.com

Rizwan Aftab Ahmed is a Pakistani dietitian, businessperson, and philanthropist.[1] He is best known as the founder of ACTIVIT, a medical-grade nutritional supplement brand based in Pakistan.[2]

Early life and education

Rizwan's father, Prof. Dr. Aftab Ahmed, was a pioneer of orthopedics in Pakistan. He founded the orthopedic wing at Services Hospital, Lahore, and later established the National Hospital & Medical Centre in DHA Lahore.[3] Rizwan's maternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ahmed Shah, was an athlete who represented Pakistan at the 1948 London Olympics.[4] His third great-grandfather, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, was a diplomat who served as Pakistan's Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Health following Pakistan independence in 1947 and was appointed as the first president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.[4][5] Rizwan's great-uncle was Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a noted poet and author.[6] On his maternal side, his fourth great-grandfather, Syed Ghulam Haider Shah, was a spiritual leader in Jalalpur Sharif.[3]

Rizwan graduated from Aitchison College.[7] He then joined Queen's University at Kingston in Canada and obtained his BA degree in 2004,[8] and later completed postgraduate certifications in Clinical Nutrition and Men's Health at Cornell University and Harvard Medical School.[4]

Career

In 2023, Rizwan launched ACTIVIT, a DRAP-registered multivitamin and supplement brand, aimed at providing high-quality nutrition affordably in Pakistan.[6] The company provides nutritional, training, and medical support to athletes and lifetime free treatment at the National Hospital DHA.[1][9] The revenues are channeled back to sports and welfare initiatives.[6] During his tenure as Director of the National Hospital & Medical Centre, DHA Lahore, Rizwan has been active in athlete healthcare, contributing to the recovery and performance of several national athletes.[2][10]

Rizwan has been assisting javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem since 2023.[1] He supported Nadeem with injury recovery ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics,[11] facilitating specialized intervention and ongoing care under UK-based surgeon Dr. Ali Bajwa.[3][4][6] Rizwan also arranged advanced medical imaging, including CT and MRI scans, as part of Nadeem's treatment plan.[1] Rizwan supported Nooh Dastgir Butt with a monthly retainer and comprehensive lifeline healthcare for his family when his father suffered a heart crisis.[12] Rizwan also assisted sprinter Shajar Abbas with injury management, including facilitating surgery.[12]

He also established the ACTIVERSE, a collective of Pakistani sports figures sponsored by ACTIVIT that includes javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt,[5] MMA striker Eman "Falcon" Khan, high-altitude mountaineer Shehroze Kashif, marathon runner Amin Mukaty, MMA fighter Rizwan Ali, triathlete Shahrez Khan, boxer Usman Wazeer, sprinter Shajar Abbas, and badminton player Mahoor Shahzad.[6][2][9][13] Rizwan provided financial, medical, and nutritional support to boxer Usman Wazeer during a series of international professional fights.[14] ACTIVIT sponsored six consecutive international bouts involving Wazeer, including contests against Indian opponents.[15]

Under ACTIVIT, Rizwan signed former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as a brand ambassador and expanded the company's athlete program to include professional cricketers through formal sponsorship agreements.[16] The program provides nutritional support, medical coverage, and financial backing for participation in domestic and international tournaments.[16] As part of this initiative, Rizwan has supported Pakistan Test captain Shaan Masood during overseas tours and league participation, and also sponsors Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, and other national players. Under their agreements, athletes including Masood, Salman, and Sajid display the ACTIVIT logo on their equipment as part of their representation of the brand.[16]

Rizwan provided support to marathon runner Amin Mukaty for his international marathon preparation and recovery management through ACTIVIT, including nutritional guidance and financial sponsorship during international competitions.[17][18]

Rizwan sponsored Pakistan Combat Week 2024 and the Pakistan Open MMA Championship 2025.[19] He served as the on-site medical director for both international competitions, where ACTIVIT implemented specialized sports medicine departments for athlete screening, emergency ringside care, and recovery management.[20][21][22][23]

In September 2025, Rizwan arranged a training camp in the U.S., sponsoring training, nutrition, and medical support[24] to prepare Nooh Dastgir Butt for the VIRUS Weightlifting Finals and UMWF World Championships, scheduled to be held in Daytona Beach, Florida.[25] Rizwan supported Shahrez Khan's triathlon career, contributing to his development and performance in international competitions.[26] They have jointly organised cross-country training camps at Aitchison College, where they mentor young Pakistani athletes in endurance sports.[26] In October 2025, Shahrez Khan qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Marbella, Spain, in November 2025.[27][26] Rizwan Aftab provided financial, medical, and nutritional support to mixed martial artist Rizwan Ali during his participation in the Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), where Rizwan Ali defeated his Indian opponent.[28][29]

During the partnership with ACTIVIT, Nooh Dastgir Butt competed in and achieved success at several international competitions, including the Pahlavon Mahmud Strongmen Games (OIC Open), the 2024 Commonwealth Classic Powerlifting Championship where he won seven gold medals and one bronze medal, the 2024 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship where he set a 400kg Asian squat record, the 2024 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy National Classic Championship, and the 2025 World Strongman Championship in Uzbekistan, where he won two gold medals.[30][31]

In November 2025, Rizwan Aftab, through ACTIVIT's athlete development program, partnered with tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, providing medical, nutritional, and financial support during Qureshi's participation in the ITF Masters 45+ World Championship in Turkey, where Qureshi won gold medals in the men's doubles and mixed doubles events. The collaboration continued at the ATP Challenger Cup 2025 in Pakistan.[32]

Rizwan through ACTIVIT, supported Paralympic Athlete Haider Ali’s preparation during the period surrounding the 2024 Paris Paralympics and the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix. The support included medical care, nutritional planning, and financial assistance intended to support training, recovery, and international competition.[33][34][35]

In recognition of his maternal grandfather, Olympian Iftikhar Ahmed Shah, who represented Pakistan in swimming at the 1948 London Olympics, Rizwan supported the development of national-level swimmer Hamza Asif, providing medical supervision, nutritional guidance, performance diagnostics, and specialized training equipment through ACTIVIT.[36][37] Rizwan also contributed to Hamza’s participation in the 2026 Asian Beach Games.[38][39][40] Hamza's strength and conditioning training was provided in collaboration with Omar Ahmed (businessman), President of the Pakistan MMA Federation and CEO of Brave Gym Lahore.[37]

On April 30, 2026, Rizwan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ACTIVIT Welfare Foundation and the Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) to establish cooperation on youth-focused programs in sports, the arts, wellness, and culture.[41]

In May 2026, Rizwan and ACTIVIT Welfare Foundation sponsored and organized the ACTIVIT Margalla Triathlon in Islamabad in collaboration with Margalla Trail Runners. The ACTIVIT Margalla Triathlon was the first Olympic-format open-water triathlon held in Pakistan. It featured Olympic-and sprint-distance races and was held in connection with Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq and was dedicated to Pakistan’s armed forces and martyrs.[42][43] In the same month, Rizwan and ACTIVIT sponsored Pakistani ultra-runner Waqar Ahmad Nasir during his successful title defense at the Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge.[44]

In July 2026, Rizwan, through ACTIVIT, partnered with the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) to launch the PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series, a competition platform intended to prepare Pakistani mixed martial artists for international competition.[45]

Awards and recognition

In December 2025, Rizwan Aftab Ahmed was honoured by the Governor of Punjab, Pakistan, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, with two Certificates of Achievement in recognition of his work on sports, healthcare, and community services in Pakistan for his roles as CEO of ACTIVIT and as the Director of the National Hospital & Medical Centre, DHA Lahore.[46]

In April 2026, Rizwan was honoured by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in recognition of his contributions to the development and promotion of sports in Pakistan, particularly his support for athletes and national sports initiatives. The recognition was presented during the Pakistan Olympic Association's General Council meeting held in Lahore, where POA Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood acknowledged his services to Pakistani sports.[47][48][49]

In May 2026, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) conferred its highest honour on Rizwan in recognition of his support for Pakistani athletes through financial assistance, medical care, nutrition, and performance services. The honour was presented by PSB Director General Muhammad Yasir Pirzada.[50][51]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Raheel, Natasha (2025-10-24). "Pakistan's athletes suffer from lack of sports medicine". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rizwan Aftab quietly building a new era of athletic excellence". The Nation. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  3. 1 2 3 Team, Dev (2025-08-03). "Healer behind Pakistan's top athletes". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Raheel, Natasha (2025-06-25). "RD Rizwan Ahmed: Using privilege to help Pak athletes". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  5. 1 2 Ali, Ahmed (2025-08-31). "Pakistan's sporting heroes get an unofficial safety net". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed: The Man Behind Pakistan's ACTIVERSE". The Nation. 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  7. ↑ "PLTA and Aitchison College go together in tennis promotion | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed | National Hospital & Medical Center". nationalhospital.org. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  9. 1 2 Correspndent, Our (2025-08-22). "The Pakistan Combat Night 2025 quarterfinals kickoff in Lahore". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  10. ↑ Raheel, Natasha (2025-06-26). "Rizwan vows to serve Pak athletes". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  11. ↑ "Arshad Nadeem reaches javelin final, eyes World Championships gold". The Nation. 2025-09-18. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  12. 1 2 Ali, Ahmed (2025-08-31). "Pakistan's sporting heroes get an unofficial safety net". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  13. ↑ "NGC wins WAPDA Inter-Unit Badminton; Mahoor defends title". The Nation. 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  14. ↑ "Usman Wazeer set to defend WBC OPBF Silver title on home soil this Nov | Pakistan Today". 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  15. ↑ "Usman Wazeer sets sights on 18-0, defends WBC OPBF Silver title on home soil this Nov". The Nation. 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  16. 1 2 3 Staff, Cricexec (2025-05-07). "Shoaib Akhtar, Shaan Masood sign as brand ambassadors for Activit". cricexec. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  17. ↑ Rizwan (2026-04-28). "Pakistan's Mukaty impresses in London Marathon". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  18. ↑ "Pakistan's rising marathon star Amin Mukaty eyes 'Six Star' glory". The Nation. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  19. ↑ "Pakistan Combat Night 2025 to feature international fighters". The Nation. 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  20. ↑ "MMA madness arrives: Pakistan Combat Night 2025 features world-class fights in Lahore". Dunya News. 2025-08-24. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  21. ↑ "Pakistan Combat Night 2025 to feature int'l fighters". The Express Tribune. 2025-08-17. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  22. ↑ "Gloves On, Game On: Pakistan Combat Night 2025 Brings International MMA to Lahore". Aaj English TV. 2025-08-22. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  23. ↑ "Pakistan Combat Night 2025 to feature international fighters". The Nation. 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  24. ↑ "Nooh Butt plots golden comeback at World Championships in Florida". The Nation. 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  25. ↑ "پاکستان کا 'ہلک' پھر گرجنے کو تیار; نوح بٹ فلوریڈا میں عالمی ٹائٹل کے لیے پرعزم". Daily Pakistan. 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  26. 1 2 3 "Pakistan's triathlete Shahrez Khan targets triumph at Ironman 70.3 World C'ships". The Nation. 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  27. ↑ "Pakistan's triathlete Shahrez Khan sets sights on global glory at Ironman 70.3 World Championship". The Nation. 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  28. ↑ "Rizwan Ali's rise: The victory that signals Pakistan's MMA revolution | Sports". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  29. ↑ "Rizwan Ali humbles Indian rival, dedicates win to Pak Army, the nation". The Nation. 2025-10-24. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  30. ↑ "Pakistan's strongman Nooh Butt credits parents for double gold triumph in Uzbekistan". The Nation. 2026-06-21. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  31. ↑ "Nooh Dastgir Butt: Pakistan's unstoppable strongman carrying a nation's hopes | Sports | thenews.pk". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  32. ↑ "ATP Challenger ceremony and a grand tribute to Pakistan's evergreen tennis icon Aisam Quresh". The Nation. 2025-11-26. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  33. ↑ "Haider Ali carries Pakistan's Paralympic dream into Dubai Championship". The Nation. 2026-02-10. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  34. ↑ "Haider Ali grabs gold for Pakistan at World Para Athletics Grand Prix". The Nation. 2026-02-12. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  35. ↑ "Haider strikes gold for Pakistan at World Para Athletics". e.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  36. ↑ "Legacy in Motion: Hamza Asif's rise mirrors Pakistan's 1948 Olympic pioneer". The Nation. 2025-12-13. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  37. 1 2 "Rocket rises again: Hamza Asif and the 80-year Olympic circle of destiny | Sports | thenews.pk". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  38. ↑ "Pakistan names strong contingent for Asian Beach Games 2026". The Nation. 2026-04-17. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  39. ↑ "Record-breaker Hamza Asif eyes Asian Beach Games glory in Sanya". The Nation. 2026-04-23. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  40. ↑ Report, Staff (2026-04-22). "Hamza Asif Targets Glory at Asian Beach Games in Sanya". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  41. ↑ "New MoU unites sports, wellness, arts and culture to empower Lahore youth". The Nation. 2026-05-02. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  42. ↑ "Marka-e-Haq Triathlon attracts large gathering". e.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  43. ↑ "ACTIVIT Margalla Triathlon debuts on Marka-e-Haq Day". The Nation. 2026-05-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  44. ↑ Report, Staff (2026-05-19). "Waqar Ahmad Defends Seychelles Nature Trail Title". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  45. ↑ "Twin sisters, Rashid, Aurangzeb shine at PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series". The Nation. 2026-07-14. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  46. ↑ Naveed, Attia (2025-12-22). "Governor Punjab honors Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for excellence in sports, healthcare, and philanthropy". Daily Times. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  47. ↑ "POA honours Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for championing Pakistan's athletes". The Express Tribune. 2026-04-11. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  48. ↑ "POA honours Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, support Pakistan's athletes". 24 News HD. 2026-04-11. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  49. ↑ "POA honours Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for championing Pakistan's athletes". Sports Bulletin. 2026-04-11. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  50. ↑ "PSB honours Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for transformational support to athletes". The Nation. 2026-05-08. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  51. ↑ Tatheer (2026-05-08). "PSB honours Rizwan Aftab for athlete support". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
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