(1917–1994)
Anna Molka Ahmed was a Pakistani artist and a pioneer of fine arts education in the country after its independence in 1947. Anna Molka Ahmed was born Molly Bridger to Jewish parents in London, England, on 13 August 1917. She converted to Islam at the age of 18 in 1935, before marrying Sheikh Ahmed in October 1939, who was then studying in London. Ahmed moved to Lahore in 1940 and, besides painting, taught fine arts at the University of the Punjab. Professor Emeritus Anna Molka Ahmed set up the Department of Fine Arts now called the College of Arts and Design at the University of the Punjab, which she headed until 1978. She studied painting, sculpture and design at St. Martin School of Arts in London, and received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Art. She was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 1963 and President’s Award for Pride of Performance in 1969.