Bridging Ideas, Culture, and Cross-Border Collaboration
Malik Atta Ul Karim is a figure who believes that leadership, business, and creativity must converge on one goal: creating impact and building bridges of human understanding. As a founder, he brings the spirit of inclusive collaboration and a cross-border vision into every initiative he builds.
Born in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan on April 18, 1993, Atta Ul Karim's life journey is a long process of crossing geographical and cultural boundaries. At the age of 14, he migrated to Indonesia, carrying the mandate to continue and transform the family business that was pioneered in 1997. Under his direction, Al-Barkat evolved from a business idea into a national-scale entity present in 13 major cities across Indonesia.
However, commercial achievement has never been a stopping point. For Atta, managerial success is the foundation for building a broader ecosystem of values—a vision that later underpins his commitment to literacy, creative spaces, and public diplomacy.
A sense of attachment and gratitude to two nations—Indonesia and Pakistan—prompted Atta to take a strategic role in cultural diplomacy. He initiated and serves as the Global Head of the International Creative Exchange (ICE), which was inaugurated at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Islamabad in June 2024. ICE was born as a manifestation of his belief that the exchange of ideas and creativity is the best way to strengthen relations between countries.
This commitment was further strengthened in February 2025 through the launch of a bilateral digital platform specifically designed to bridge the flow of information and cultural understanding between the people of Indonesia and Pakistan.
Atta Ul Karim's leadership is supported by proficiency in various complementary disciplines. He is not only a businessman, but also a visual and strategic communicator.
Managing agencies and consulting services to help institutions adapt to changing times through digital transformation.
Teaching photography classes in Jakarta, combining documentation techniques with strong visual storytelling.
His keen eye for detail and aesthetics once led him to be trusted as a fashion stylist for the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, during the 2018–2019 period.
Consistent dedication in managing responsible businesses and forging cross-border relationships has earned various strategic recognitions:
Received official appreciation from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia for his tangible contribution in strengthening Indonesia–Pakistan relations (2025), as well as an award from President Joko Widodo (2019).
Named as a Top 100 CEO in Pakistan at the CEO Summit in Bali (2024), and won The Great Indonesia CEO Awards (2023).
Won The Great CSR Awards for the The Most Charitable Manufacturer category (2023), an affirmation of his commitment to socially impactful business.
Malik Atta Ul Karim's leadership vision is rooted in integrity, continuous innovation, and the courage to make strategic decisions. He believes that good leadership must be inclusive—able to listen to various perspectives, embrace differences, and translate complex ideas into solutions that are relevant to the needs of the times.
Within the ICE ecosystem, this leadership principle is translated into a firm commitment: ensuring that every idea, work, and collaboration born has intellectual integrity and makes a real contribution to the wider community.
