Ajmal is Distinguished National Professor of the Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi (UOK), Pakistan. After his PhD (Ohio University) and postdoctoral work (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah), he returned to Pakistan in 1985 and has worked at UOK and other institutions. His research has had important practical applications in the production of high quality forage, fodder, edible oil and bio-fuel in areas that cannot sustain conventional agricultural crops due to high soil salinity and poor quality of irrigation water. He is the recipient of Presidential Award of Pride of Performance (2001); Presidential Award of Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2007); Distinguished National Professor (2004), PAS Distinguished Scientist of the Year 2008, Meritorious Professor (2011) and D. Sc. from University of Karachi (2011). He is an elected fellow of PAS (2001) and IAS (2011).