From White Coat to Business Suit: The Story of a Young Dream Weaver

Peshawar ::: By Junaid Toru

“Are dreams only what we see with our eyes closed, or also the ones we live with open eyes?”

This question struck me when, despite climbing the ladder of success in the medical field, I still felt incomplete.

My name is Dr. Muhibullah Afridi, and I hail from Bara, a town in Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For a child born in a traditional tribal region to dream of becoming a doctor is, in itself, an act of courage.
I received my early education in Peshawar and nurtured a single aspiration since childhood: “I want to become a doctor.”
In 2015, I completed my MBBS from Ayub Medical College, followed by a house job at Ayub Teaching Hospital, and passed FCPS Part 1 in 2016. Alongside, I also cleared the preliminary steps of USMLE and MRCP. By all visible standards, things were going well and success seemed assured.

Yet I kept asking myself: “Why does my heart still feel restless when everything appears fine?”

While serving as a Training Medical Officer at Khyber Teaching Hospital, I felt an inner pull toward something entirely different. This was not just a career shift; it was a transformation of purpose, passion, and vision. I feared that my life might become confined to a predictable cycle of patients, hospitals, and textbooks. Coming from a business-oriented family, I recognized greater potential and flexibility in entrepreneurship. This led me to pursue a path where I could maximize my growth while still valuing my medical education with an aim to open a charitable non-profit hospital once my business is well established. This way, my medical training will continue to serve a purpose. So, I left everything behind and moved to London, where I enrolled in an MBA program. As a student, I faced significant social and emotional challenges. But those hardships shaped an entirely new outlook on my life.

In London’s grand hypermarkets, I often thought: “What if my city, Peshawar, had such a place where quality, comfort, and employment come together?”
This was the seed of my entrepreneurial vision.

After completing my MBA in 2019, I returned to Pakistan and first discussed my idea with my father. Since our family already had a business background, I received great support. But then came an unexpected test the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the uncertainty, we began working on our project. The local market couldn’t provide the equipment, materials, or design standards we were seeking. I met several architects and contractors in Peshawar, but most were unable to align with our vision.
Eventually, I connected with expert teams in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad who could turn our vision into reality.

In 2022, when we held the grand opening of our project, the overwhelming public response reassured me that we had provided something Peshawar had long been waiting for.

What does “HBK” stand for?

Many ask this, and I proudly answer: “Haji Bahadur Khan” my Grandfather.
It’s not just a business brand. It’s a legacy, a symbol of identity, and a tribute to our roots.

HBK Arena is a comprehensive shopping destination where leading Pakistani and global brands operate. It also provides dignified employment opportunities to local youth. Located within HBK Arena, HBK Hypermarket is state of the art grocery store offering a complete one-stop shopping experience where customers can find all their daily shopping needs conveniently under one roof.

Can a business center spark an employment revolution?
Absolutely.

Today, more than 1,200 young people are employed at HBK Arena. Being a young entrepreneur myself, empowering the youth is part of my mission.

We’ve also built parking for over 500 vehicles, installed a security system with 450 cameras, and implemented strict daily quality checks. We never compromise on quality and immediately act on customer feedback.

To me, success isn’t just about fame or wealth it’s about giving back to your land, uplifting the youth, and bringing your city to a world-class standard.

As the Founder and CEO of HBK Arena and HBK Hypermarket, I take pride in having built not just a business by the age of 29 but an institution, rooted in vision, driven by mission, and committed to service.

What’s next?
We’ve already launched successful branches in Peshawar’s Saddar and Ring Road areas. Now, our vision extends beyond to expand HBK Hypermarket into all major cities of Pakistan. Whether it’s Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, or the growing urban centers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we aim to establish HBK as a trusted name nationwide.
God willing, this dream too will soon become a reality.

A Message to the Youth:
Never underestimate the power of honesty, hard work, and knowledge. If you have the courage to endure hardship, success will surely embrace you.
Pursue education, master your skills, and most importantly love your land.
This soil is our future, and its youth are our greatest asset.