| F |
rom working as a loader at a factory to becoming a principal software engineer at Arbisoft, a Lahore-based software company, Usama Sadiq’s path hasn’t been easy — far from it. However, it is nothing short of moving.
Today, as the core contributor to Open edX, the open-source learning platform developed by Harvard and MIT, Sadiq now builds tools that expand access to education worldwide.
With his journey deeply rooted in Lahore, the city his grandparents made home after migrating from a village near Kot Radha Kishan, Sadiq took up a gruelling loader’s job at a factory immediately after completing his matriculation (with distinction). Money was scarce, and his young shoulders carried a fair share of responsibility. The eldest of four siblings, he was compelled to partially support his family. His father ran a small business, but unfortunately, it didn’t last. Later, he drove a rickshaw to bring home whatever income he could. Those were difficult, dark times, Sadiq recalls.
Soft-spoken and humble, Sadiq fondly remembers how the first Eid allowance he received from the factory, along with a free bag of flour. It was a gesture that felt like a fortune at the time. Though labour-intensive, the work matured him and built an inner resilience that would pay off in years to come.
Sadiq’s story thus far is by no means unusual. The sad truth is that too many children in Pakistan have no hope of education, much less higher education. In fact, they are some of the brightest young minds that come from economically depressed backgrounds. While Sadiq was at school he almost consistently came first in all his subjects. So much so that when the day came when his family could no longer pay his school fees, the principal offered Sadiq a full scholarship to continue his studies.
The scholarship changed Sadiq’s life completely. “I began to see education as my only path forward, a powerful opportunity for someone with limited means,” he tells TNS. “From that moment, I threw myself into reading everything I could get my hands on — textbooks, storybooks, old magazines, and whatever was available in my uncle’s home library.”
That hunger for learning, born in a moment of loss, became the foundation of everything he has built since.
Though hired as a factory loader, Sadiq says his English proficiency stood out. He assisted the sales department with communication and worked on the company’s computer system, balancing this alongside his labour duties. His manager in sales noticed his drive and potential, and encouraged him to continue with his education. That pushed Sadiq to explore colleges offering a pre-engineering (FSc) programme and scholarship opportunities.
Eventually, Sadiq secured a full scholarship for the two-year programme. Friends, family, neighbours, even a local teacher, pitched in, providing books, transport, and free tuition. The journey wasn’t without setbacks, but he remained focused.
After completing his FSc, Sadiq returned to the same company, this time in a full-time role as an assistant within the sales department. The same manager who had guided him earlier now mentored him, helping Sadiq prepare for university entrance exams, and pushing him to apply for an undergraduate degree.
Choosing between Nuclear Science and Computer Science was not easy, he says. But childhood memories of peeking behind computer screens and wondering how pixels came alive ultimately swayed him towards tech. “Programming offered something no other field did: the power to turn a spark of imagination into something others can touch, explore, and learn from,” he explains.
Under his manager’s guidance, Sadiq prepared for university entrance exams and earned a 100 percent merit-based scholarship to study Computer Science at the Information Technology University (ITU) in Lahore’s Arfa Technology Park. To stay financially afloat, he began tutoring on the side.
After completing a programming module, he started freelancing, taking on small tech jobs to support himself. In his final years, he worked with senior faculty at the ITU as a research intern.
His dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Shortly after graduating, he landed an internship at Arbisoft. He was soon hired as a full-time employee. Today, at Arbisoft, which supports Open edX as a client, Sadiq leads global-scale projects that modernise educational platforms, making them faster, securer, and more accessible. His work helps universities and nonprofits around the world deliver education to those who need it most.
DROP CAP
For Sadiq, it’s all deeply personal. Having grown up with limited access to opportunity, he now builds tools that help level the playing field. “Every line of code, every system upgrade, is a step towards a world where young people, especially those from backgrounds like mine, don’t have to give up on their dreams just because of financial constraints.”
He sees open-source platforms as crucial for regions like South Asia. “Students can study anything they want. They are given an equal opportunity to compete globally,” he says.
Initiatives like ilmX and Taleemabad show how such models are already working in Pakistan. Sadiq’s younger brother, now at university, hasn’t had to buy a single book; everything is accessible online. That contrast drives Sadiq’s resolve to keep building.
When asked how his background shaped his leadership, he is clear: “I lead with the same empathy that once opened doors for me. Talent often hides behind circumstance, so I look for hunger to learn rather than a polished resume. I’ll take a promising engineer who needs coaching over someone with perfect credentials, any day.”
This approach, he argues, has paid off — many he mentored now lead major projects.
Sadiq believes Pakistan has all the raw ingredients to become a thriving tech hub. “Thousands of engineers graduate every year. Our export receipts are growing, and startups are solving real local problems. From where I sit, writing code in Lahore for platforms used globally, we’re already showing the world what we’re capable of.”
On the future of work, particularly with AI, Sadiq says change is already underway. “Entry-level roles like basic support or data cleanup will fade, but new opportunities like prompt engineering will emerge. Developers must learn to work with AI, not against it.”
Freelancing played a vital role early in his career. “Back then, there was no AI, but freelancing gave me confidence, experience, and income. Today, with AI squeezing junior roles, freelancing is even more critical. It lets students experiment, fail fast, and build a portfolio. My advice is to treat freelance platforms as training grounds…, learn the game, and build a track record that speaks louder than a CV.”
Outside work, Sadiq is committed to helping others from underprivileged backgrounds. He pays students’ exam fees, donates laptops, and covers family emergencies. His long-term dream is to create a community-funded NGO that connects students with mentors. He’s also launched Prose Pebbles, a social media initiative to promote reading.
“The big dream is a network of neighbourhood libraries, paired with local-language tech courses on platforms such as Open edX, so that anyone can learn real skills from home,” he adds.
“With corporate sponsorship and volunteer energy, I hope these spaces stay alive with code sprints, science fairs, and fresh ideas, long after I am gone. If I can help even a handful of first-generation learners believe in a bigger future, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”
Sonya Rehman is a journalist based inIslamabad