Mr. Akbar works for the Press Information Department in the government of Pakistan, which is the federal government's public relations organ. His last assignment before taking the Humphrey Fellowship was as Information Officer to the Prime Minister of Pakistan where he was responsible for covering the daily engagements of the Prime Minister in both print and electronic media. Previously he served two cabinet ministers as a Public Relations Officer supervising image-building and media coverage. Before joining the Civil Service of Pakistan, Mr. Akbar worked in the British Council as Regional Library & Information Manager during the transition period of converting the country's library services from a manual to a computerized system. Mr. Akbar holds master's degrees in Library & Information Science (with distinction) and Political Science, both from University of Peshawar, and has a diploma in computer programming.

During his Humphrey year, Mr. Akbar will broaden his knowledge about the methods and uses of media in the United States. Mr. Akbar is aspiring to study Public Relations, Communication Strategies, Marketing Communication, Writing Techniques, Political Coverage, and Photo Journalism. He intends to observe the US presidential elections and compare and apply the good experiences to the operating environment in his own country.