Who I Am

My name is Abu Zar Mishwani, and people close to me also call me Mufasa, a nickname I proudly carry. It is inspired by the wise and brave character from The Lion King. The name Mufasa means king or brave leader, and I have always loved it because it reminds me to lead with strength, kindness, and responsibility.

I was born on August 24, 2000, in a small and remote village called Domel Nisar, near Arandu, close to the Afghan border in Chitral, Pakistan. It is one of those places where life is peaceful but isolated. There were no proper schools, no healthcare, and no communication network. Growing up there was simple, but it also meant that opportunities were almost nonexistent.

My father, a government school teacher and principal, realized that his children’s future could not be built there. He once told my mother, “Our children cannot grow here the way we want them to.” With that thought and faith in Allah, he decided to move our family to Drosh, a small town in Chitral, so we could get an education and a better life.

That one decision changed everything. Today, when I look back, I know that every achievement in my life began with his foresight and sacrifices.

Family and Faith

I come from a Pashtun Muslim family that values simplicity, honesty, and education. My father has been a teacher for over 32 years, educating children in the most remote valleys of Chitral. His love for knowledge and his service to others taught me that true success lies in helping people. My mother is the most peaceful and loving person I know. Her prayers are the real reason behind everything good in my life.

I am a Muslim, and my faith defines who I am. I learned Islam first from my parents, then through the lectures of Dr. Zakir Naik and Dr. Israr Ahmad, who helped me understand the Quran deeply.

The Quran is my ultimate guide. There is one verse that always gives me strength in difficult times:

“Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:62)

Whenever I face challenges, I remind myself of this verse, and it fills me with peace and direction.

The Beginning

My journey with computers started in 2010, when I was in fourth grade. I was a ten-year-old boy who had never even seen a computer. One day my father came home and said, “Abu Zar, a computer center has opened nearby. Would you like to join?”

I didn’t really understand what a computer was, but something in me was curious. Without thinking much, I said, “Yes, Baba, I’ll join!”

That single decision changed my life. I still remember those early days. My small hands struggled to type on the keyboard, and I used to get excited every time I learned something new in MS Word or Excel. After a few months, I received my first computer certificate, and it felt like a big achievement.

Not long after, my father bought me my first computer, an old Pentium 2. At that age, I only used it to play games. But as I grew older, my curiosity grew with me. In 2016, after many requests, I finally got my first smartphone. That was when everything changed.

With that phone came internet access, and I wanted to connect it to my computer. I soon found out I needed a Wi-Fi adapter, which cost around Rs. 800, but my pocket money was only Rs. 10 a day. I didn’t want to bother my father, so when my elder sister came home, I shared my wish with her. Without a second thought, she gave me Rs. 1000.

That day felt magical. I bought the adapter, connected to the internet, and for the first time, I opened Google on my computer. I still remember the feeling. I sat back and said to myself, “Now the world is in front of me. Google is mine.”

Exploration and Curiosity

Once I had internet, I spent hours exploring. At first, I didn’t even know what to search for. I would sit there thinking, “What should I learn today?”

Then one day, a random thought crossed my mind:

“How are websites made?”

That simple question opened the door to my journey as a developer. I started experimenting with website builders like Wix, then discovered WordPress, and slowly learned how to build websites. I even bought my first domain with Eidi money, not even knowing what I would do with it.

Back then, I had no teacher or mentor. No one in my family knew about computers, and no one in my town could guide me. It was just me, my passion, and YouTube. Every day I faced problems I couldn’t solve, and every night I tried again. It was frustrating, but every solved problem taught me something new.

Education

I completed my matriculation from Drosh Public School and College, and later did my ICS (Intermediate in Computer Science) from Government Higher Secondary School Drosh.

After that, I joined the University of Chitral for my BS in Computer Science, which I completed in December 2024.

I am now pursuing my MPhil in Computer Science and plan to complete my PhD before turning 30, InshaAllah.

Freelancing and First Earnings

My freelancing journey began while I was doing my ICS. It started when I realized that the skills I was learning could actually help others. I began offering small services like creating WordPress websites, doing SEO, and writing content.

I still remember the day I received my first payment. It was not a big amount, but it felt like I had conquered the world. Earning money for the first time through something I built on my own was an unforgettable moment. That day, I realized that with knowledge and determination, you can create your own opportunities.

Freelancing gave me independence, confidence, and direction. It taught me how to manage clients, work with deadlines, and most importantly, trust my own skills.

TechABU and Other Projects

In 2020, I started a tech blog called TechABU, where I explained technical concepts, SEO, and online tools in simple language. My goal was to make learning technology easy and fun for everyone, especially people from smaller towns like mine.

In 2022, I launched Spot Web Tools, an online platform offering over 190 free SEO and web tools used by developers, students, and marketers around the world. I also developed its Android app to make it more accessible.

In 2023, I created the GPA Calculator & Planner app for students to calculate and plan their semester performance easily. Seeing students benefit from my app was deeply fulfilling. It reminded me that technology, when built with purpose, can truly make people’s lives easier.

As a software engineer, I have developed many AI-powered tools and platforms that simplify tasks and improve workflows. Under HindukushSoft Technologies, I also built a SaaS platform to automate business operations in Chitral and help local businesses transition to technology.

You can see my development work on my GitHub, linked in the social section below.

Professional Experience

After graduation, I joined SoftLixx Technologies Pvt. Ltd. as a Web Developer, where I worked on real-world projects and gained hands-on experience in professional software development. This role helped me understand industry standards, teamwork, and how to deliver production-level software.

Alongside my professional career, I have been working with Accelerate Prosperity as an entrepreneur, learning, growing, and contributing to building the startup ecosystem in Chitral.

HindukushSoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

In 2025, I founded HindukushSoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the first registered software house in Chitral.

The idea came from a simple but powerful question that always stayed with me:

“What if there had been a software house in Chitral when I started my journey?”

That question became my mission. I wanted to create the platform that I once needed myself — a place where talented youth could learn, grow, and apply their skills.

HindukushSoft was built with a vision to create IT jobs, train young minds, and bring digital innovation to Chitral.

We also introduced the first paid internship program in Chitral through the PSEB Skill Bridge Apprenticeship Program, a government-backed initiative by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) under the Ministry of IT and Telecom. This program allows students to gain professional skills, real-world experience, and earn a monthly stipend while contributing to meaningful projects.

HindukushSoft also focuses on SaaS platforms, AI-powered applications, and automation solutions to help businesses transition into technology. We aim to create awareness of technology, provide skill development opportunities, and ensure that Chitral’s youth are not left behind in the global digital economy.

For me, HindukushSoft is more than just a company. It is a vision, a movement, and a promise that the youth of Chitral can also become part of the digital future. It represents the change I once wished for in my hometown and continues to inspire the next generation to dream bigger, learn more, and create opportunities.

Volunteering and Giving Back

Giving back to my community has always been close to my heart. I have volunteered with Al-Khidmat Foundation Chitral, helping them with IT support and digital systems. I have also taught computer science voluntarily at local academies to inspire students and help them build careers in technology.

Through HindukushSoft, I have provided platforms for local youth to gain experience, earn stipends, and learn in a real work environment. My goal is to create a culture of learning, innovation, and self-reliance in Chitral.

Technical Skills

I started my programming journey with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and later explored backend technologies like PHP, Laravel, Node.js, and Express. Today, I work with modern web technologies such as React, TypeScript, Next.js, and Laravel, among others, to build fast and interactive applications.

I am also highly skilled in WordPress development and SEO, having helped numerous clients improve their websites and online presence. In addition, I have developed AI-powered tools and SaaS platforms to automate tasks and support businesses.

Beyond coding, I possess strong logical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, which allow me to tackle complex challenges effectively and create solutions that are both practical and impactful.

Hobbies and Inspirations

Outside of work, I have always loved cricket. I used to be a proper cricketer, a good batsman, and a part-time bowler. After completing my ICS, I had to quit cricket to focus on my studies, but the passion for the game still lives in me.

Between 2010 and 2016, I was also a dedicated gamer, playing almost every popular computer game of that time, including GTA V, Max Payne 3, Call of Duty, among others. Those years as a gamer improved my focus, problem-solving, and creativity.

Vision and Future

My vision goes far beyond just one company. HindukushSoft is my first step, my first startup, and InshaAllah, it will be the foundation for many more. I plan to build more companies and projects in the future that solve real problems, create jobs, and bring technological awareness to underdeveloped regions like Chitral.

My mission in life is to make life easier for others, to help people, and to create opportunities wherever I can. I believe that success only has meaning when it benefits others.

For me, everything begins and ends with faith. I believe that Allah is always with me and that nothing is impossible when your heart is sincere.

Closing Thoughts

From a small mountain village with no electricity or internet to founding the first software house in Chitral, my journey is a story of faith, patience, and hard work. Every obstacle I faced became a reason to grow. Every difficulty taught me that with faith, consistency, and effort, anything is possible.