1. The Nishat Group
Mian Muhammad Mansha Yaha is the captain of this splendid ship having around
30 companies on board. Mansha, who owns the Muslim Commercial Bank as well, is
now setting up a billion rupee ($ 17 m) paper sack project too. He is one of
the richest Pakistanis around. Nishat Group was country’s 15th richest family
in 1970, 6th in 1990 and Number 1 in 1997. Mansha is on the board of nearly 50
companies. Chinioti by clan, Mansha is married to Yousaf Saigol’s daughter. He
is deemed to have made investments in many bourses, currency and metal
exchanges both within and outside Pakistan. He has had his share of luck on
many occasions in life and has recently been awarded Pakistan’s highest civil
award by President Musharraf. He could have bought the United Bank too, but
then who doesn’t have adversaries. Nishat Group comprises of textiles, cement,
leasing, insurance and management companies. If Mansha was bitten by Bhutto’s
nationalization stint of 1970, his friends think he was compensated by Nawaz
Sharif’s denationalization programme to a very good effect. There is no
stopping Mansha and he is still on the move!
2. The Jang Group
This huge media empire was founded by late Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman some six
decades ago. Today, around 10 top newspapers and the multi-billion rupee GEO
TV project are being run by Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman, Mir Khalil’s brainy son,
who has a lot of projects pertaining to real estate under his belt too. Though
he can be very modest, Shakeel is known to have taken country’s Prime
Ministers head-on. His tussle with Nawaz Sharif in 1999 spoke volumes of his
unmatched influence in all domestic and international quarters which matter
Shakeel is one of Asia’s most well known media barons, whose newspapers have
served to be the breeding nurseries for country’s top journalists. He invests
massively in stocks business regularly. His elder brother Mir Javed ur Rehman
and tender son Mir Ibrahim also assist him in business. Such magnificent has
been his influence that at times, a few governments have opted to take a few
of his employees as ministers. The Group, as most politicians agree, has been
instrumental in both toppling and building governments in Pakistan for decades
now. Limelight is the product that he sells but doesn’t like tasting the
fruits of his own garden.
3. The Hashoo Group
Led by the vintage Saddaruddin Haswani, the Hashoo Group is more known for its
dominance in Pakistan’s hotel industry, though the people who know a bit more
about the Hashwanis are of their strength in real estate business too.
Hashwanis are involved in trading of cotton grain and steel and till the
nationalization of cotton export in 1974, they were widely being dubbed as the
Cotton Kings of Pakistan. Today, this group has excelled in export of rice,
wheat, cotton and barley. It owns textile units, besides having invested
billions in mines, minerals. hotels, insurance, batteries, tobacco,
residential properties, construction, engineering and information technology.
In 1984, Hashwani defeated the Lakhanis in the bid for Premier Tobacco but was
arrested along with his brother Akbar in 1986 for allegedly evading customs
duty on cigarettes. Sadarduddin’s brother Akbar and the children of another
late brother Hassan Ali Hashwani together manage around 45 companies. Akbar
runs the second Hashwani Group. He is one of the most well-known magnates in
Pakistan who is a regular invitee at the Diplomatic Enclave. The list of local
and international bigwigs known personally to Hashwani is unending.
4. The Packages Group
The seed of this huge empire was sown by Syed Maratib All, a renowned supplier
for British Army and the Indian Railways before partition. The group launched
a joint venture with Lever Brothers soon after 1947, but massive production of
Pakistan Tobacco Company later reportedly made Syed Maratib All and sons
install a packaging Unit by the names of Packages. Two of Maratib’s sons-Syed
Amjad All and Syed Babar Au have remained Pakistan’s finance Ministers and two
of his well-known grand-children-Syeda Abida Hussain and Syed Fakhar Imam-are
political stalwarts who need no recognition. Late Syed Amjad Ali was
Pakistan’s first Ambassador to the United Nations, while Syed Babar Ali is the
force behind the establishment of the LUMS. The group owns Nestle Pakistan too
which is being run by Syed Yawar Ali. Syed Babar Ali has also served as
Chairman National Fertilizer Corporation during the Bhutto regime too and has
been the Chairman of Hoeist Pakistan, Lever Brothers and Siemen. The group
also acquired a good number of Coca Cola plants in Pakistan. Its famous brands
include Nestle Milk Pak, Treet, Mitchells and Tri Pack Films. It has stakes in
the textile, dairy, agriculture and rice Sectors too. The groups Contributions
towards the cause of an independent Pakistan are unprecedented.
5. The House of Habib
Legend has it that the Goddess of Wealth has been in love with the seasoned
Habibs more than anybody else in Pakistan. Most pundits believe that Habibs
own at least 100 companies throughout the world, but these content
mega-tycoons never boast off, something which has made it uphill for most to
predict about their financial standing. This industrial group was founded by
Seth Habib Mitha, born in 1878 to Esmail Ali-a factory owner in Bombay. The
financial strength of the Habibs can be gauged from the fact that Muhammad Ali
Habib was gave a cheque of Rs 80 million to Quaid-e-Azam in 1948 at a time
when Pakistan government was penniless owing to delay in transfer of
Pakistan’s share of Rs. 750 million by the Reserve Bank of India. They had
offices in Europe in 1912. They incorporated the Habib Bank in 1941. They own
the Habib Bank A.G Zurich, Bank Al-Habib, Indus Motors assembling Corolla cars
and many dozens of units in sectors such as jute, paper sack, minerals, steel,
tiles, synthetics sugar, glass, construction, concrete, farm autos, banking,
oil, computers, music, paper, packages, leasing and capital management. Habibs
today are headed by Rafiq Habib and Rashid Habib in two distinct groups. What
makes them extremely influential players of all times is the fact that for
dozens of top businessmen today, Habib were a myth once.
6. The Saigols
Saigols originally hail from Jehlum. The pioneer of the Saigol dynasty in 1890
was Amin Saigol who established a shoe shop that eventually transformed into
Kohinoor Rubber Works. And then times saw them shining literally like the
Kohinoor until their progress was by Nationalization in which they lost
two-thirds of their wealth. Saigols got trifurcated in 1976 and 15 descendents
of Amin Saigols tour sons got a share. The name of the Saigols has been used
in this part of the world as similes describing quantum of wealth. Yousaf
Saigol, along with his brothers Sayeed Saigol, Bashir Saigol and Gul Saigol
then nourished an excellent crop. In 1948, Saigols established the Kohinoor
Textile Mills with a cost of Rs 8 million and this group happens to be the
first to open an LC with the State Bank of Pakistan. They bought the United
Bank in 1959 and then witnessed five of their units getting nationalized. They
lived in Saudi Arabia during the Bhutto regime. Today, cousins Tariq and Nasim
are holding the family’s fort together and have risen to unprecedented heights
in individual capacities. NAB did haunt Nasim but Tariq spent more lime either
accepting or refusing prized slots everywhere. Tariq is the one of the finest
business brains around.
7. Nawa-E-Waqt Group
The Nizamis may not be Rockefellers or the Sheikh Muhammad, but arc the
custodians of a highly influential media empire. Since media is now beginning
to be classified as very serious business, Clout or this group’s head Majid
Nizami and that of his nephew Arif Nizami in nearly every sphere or the
Pakistani society is being Widely acknowledged. The impact this group has
managed create on Pakistan’s political scenario since 1947 is unprecedented
too. The group runs two esteemed dailies-the Nawai-e-Waqt (Urdu) and The
Nation (English). Besides publishing a few other monthlies and weeklies. They
too are serious custoniers for an electronic media channel. Hailing from
Sangla Hill, a youth Hameed Nizami (late) went out taking a paper that was
badly needed by the Muslims of India during the Pakistan Movement. Hameed was
a renowned student leader in the sub-continent who only gained proximity with
the Quaid-c-Azam because of his distinct and selfless for an independent
Pakistan. Though Hameed died very young in 1962, he gave Majid Nizami a rich
legacy to take care of. The youngest Nizami, Khalil, died some years ago and
was also part of this illustrious group. Out of Hameed Nizami’s three
sons-Shoaib, Arif and flr.Tahir’only Arif has followed in his father’s
footsteps and is the sitting President 0f All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS).
Nizamis are a 60-year old entity too.
8. The Saif Group
Is owned and operated by the sons of famous NWFP lady politician Begum Kalsum
Saifullah. Her eldest son Javid Saifullah heads Ibis very powerful business
group. Javid obtained his Master degree in Business Administration from the
University of Pittsburgh, USA in 1973, followed by diversified experience of
over 30 years in textiles, telecommunication, cement and Information
Technology. He also remained the Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills
Association (APTMA) for two years and NWFP for seven years. He has also been
the member Task Force IT & Telecommunication Advisory Board, Ministry of
Science and Technology, Member of Task Force (Liberalization & Privatization
of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited), Ministry of Science &
Technology)Javed Saifullah Khan is looking after the group businesses for the
past 20 years. Saifullahs are in power always, in one form or the other.
Javaid’s brothers Anwar Saifullah, Khan (Former Federal Minister), Salim
Saifullah Khan king-maker in NWFP polities) and Osman Saifullah (another APTMA&
wizard) have very close family ties with a lot of key politicians in the
country, besides being related directly or indirectly through marriages to the
families of a few leading and famous Army Generals who ruled Pakistan.
9. The Crescent Group
The history of this group dates back to 1910 when Shams Din of Chiniot and his
four sons came into business with a tannery at Amritsar. This family was
allotted 125 acres in Faisalabad in lieu of their left-over property in India.
These brothers’ Muhammad Antis, Muhammad Bashir, Fazal Karim and Muhammad
Shafi-then ruse up to become country’s largest textile exporters. They had
initially set up the Mohammad Amin-Muhammad Bashir Limited for export of
cotton and import of various products. Having more than two dozen concerns in
its fold, Crescent is majestic force to reckon with. This empire serves as the
best example of cohesion among cousins, uncles and nephews. Altaf Saleem of
this group has enjoyed the slot of Chairman Privatisation Commission during
the Musharraf regime, but has not been accused of any bungling during despite
having served on a Prized slot. The group today owns numerous textile, steel,
sugar, modaraba, food, leasing, knitwear, software, power, chemical, banking
and investment units. They are one of the richest people in the country for
the last 40 odd years. This Chinioti Sheikh family has lived up with quite a
wonderful reputation, bearing an excellent record with its creditors
throughout its bu.siness history. Men running Crescent do not have to make
contacts, for the privilege comes to them naturally.
10. The Monnoo Group
The Monnoo dynasty was founded by two brothers-Dust Muhammad and Nazir Hussain
in 19405 at Calcutta. The first unit owned by the Monnoos was the Olympia
Rubber Works. And then time saw the Monnoos setting up sonic 20 textile mills
in succession. Former President Shahzada Alam Monnoo is the man behind the
strength of this group-known more for its achievements in the textile sector.
Munnoos have been a symbol of wealth during the last 65 years or so.
Shahzada’s brothers, .Jahengir and Kaiser are assisting him in business, while
silting APTMA Central Chairman Waqar Monnoo also hails from this magnificent
group. In East Pakistan, Monnoos had also left a few power, feed, textile and
agriculture-related units some nine in all. Their elder Munir Monnoo, after
leaving East Pakistan, had set up looms at Faisalabad. Shahzada Alum Monnoo,
perhaps the well-dressed man in the country along with Saddar-ud-Din Hashwani,
is no alien for any ruler. The Monnoos are Chiniotis too. Shahzada Alum Monnoo,
after some break, is again active in the politics of Lahore Chamber while
Jahengir Monnoo is siding with Waqar Monnoo in latter’s vicious battle of ego
with Messrs Tariq Saigol and Mian Mansha. They star in business politics of
and on, but seem to have Inst the taste of ii somehow. Perhaps had enough of
salutes!
11. The Dewan Group
Dewan Yousaf Farooqui. The mentor of this group has been the Sindh Minister
for Local Bodies. Industries, Labour, Transport, Mines & Minerals. Holding of
so many portfolios by a single man bears ample testimony to the fact that the
Dewans keep a leg sticking in polities too. The Dewan Mushtaq Group is one of
the Pakistan’s largest industrial conglomerates in sectors like polyester
acrylic fiber, manufacturing and automotives. Six of their companies are
listed at the Karachi & stock Exchange and one at the Luxembourg bourse. Dewan
Farooqui Motors assembles around 10,000 cars annually under technical license
agreement with Hyundai and Kia Motors of Korea The Dewan Salman Fiber is the
pride of this empire as it ranks 11th in the world in total production
capacity. The group owns three textile units, a motorcycle manufacturing
concern and the largest sugar unit in the country. Dewans also have business
interests in India. They possess dozens of millions of shares of Saudi Cement
and Pak land Cement. They finance some 40 medical dispensaries and over a
dozen schools, apart from funding roads/drinking water and Bio-energy
infrastructures. Dewans arc on their way building a $ 1O million SME Resources
with IFC investment of $ 3 million. The Dewans enjoy massive influence in the
engineering sector.
12. The Lakson Group
The Lakhanis are currently having a hard lime at the hands of NAB. Sultan
Lakhani and his three brothers run this prestigious group and the chain of
McDonald’s restaurants in Pakistan. NAB has alleged the Lakhanis of having
created phoney companies through worthless directors and raised massive loans
from various banks and financial institutions. Sultan is currently abroad
after having served a jail term with younger sibling Amin, though the latter
was released much earlier. NAB had reportedly demanded Rs 7 billion from
Lakhanis, but later agreed they pay only Rs 1.5 billion over a 10-year period.
Lakhanis, like their arch-rivals Hashwanis, are the most well-known of all
Ismaeli tycoons. Their stakes range from media, tobacco, paper, chemicals and
surgical equipment to cotton, packaging, insurance, detergents and other
house-hold items, many of which are joint ventures with leading international
conglomerates. Though Lakhanis are in turbulent waters currently, the success
that greeted them during the last 25 years especially has been tremendous.
They have rifts with large business empires despite being known fur their
genteel nature. Whether it is any government in Sindh or at the Federal level,
Lakhanis have had trusted friends everywhere, though the present era has
proved a painful exception.
13. The Sapphire Group
Headed by a veteran industrialist Mian Abdullah, this splendid empire owns 11
yarn spinning plants (producing 60,000 tonnes of yarn annually), 3 woven
plants of greige fabric ( producing 50 million metres annually), one yarn
dyeing plant (capacity 5 tonnes per day), one knitting unit (10 tonnes per
day), one knitted fabric dyeing plant (10 tonnes per day), one woven fabric
dyeing and finishing plant (1.2 million metres per month) and three power
plants having the capability to produce 40 MW of energy. Sapphire forms
synergies with off-shore garments companies. The group markets its products in
biggest brand names in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. Sapphire
started with one spinning mill in 1969 and employs over 10,000 people and has
an annual turnover of $ 219 million. Mian Abdullah’s repute can be gauged from
the fact during the October 2003 minis at APTMA, more than 1000 textile
millers bad tendered their resignations against incumbent Chief Waqar Monnoo
to him. Dozens of leading tycoons had proposed his name to head APTMA in case
of an interim setup. Having an influence among textile millers is no easy job
but Mian Abdullah stands privileged in this context He is often seen part of
the entourages of key business leaders to foreign countries and provides input
to fellow colleagues whenever requested.
14. The Dawood Group
Was ranked Pakistan’s biggest group in 1970, 3rd in 1990 and 15th in 1997 like
all. Nationalization and the East Pakistan tragedy trampled all over the
Dawoods too. Today, the original Dawood Group stands split in three factions.
The owners of this empire refrained from opening any unit for a good part of
some 20 odd years. This group was founded by Ahmed Dawood, but later the
dynasty found itself divided among the three Dawood brothers-Ahmad Sadiq and
Suleman, The key players in this group led lives in exile during the Bhutto
regime. Former Federal Minister fur Commerce and Trade Razzak Dawood, the son
of the late Suleman Dawned runs the Descon Engineering and a few other units
dealing in manufacturing refrigerators and other consumer products. Hussain
Dawuod, sun of Ahmed Dawood, has already rendered meritorious philanthropic
services in the field of education by supporting brilliant and needy students.
Hussain runs Dawood Hercules, some modaraba companies and a few textile units.
The Sadiq Dawned Group owns a few leasing, modaraba and insurance concerns
too, apart from the Dawood Yamaha. Sadiq Dawood’s decision to become an MNA in
1951 and Treasurer Pakistan Muslim League during Ayub’s rule certainly
benefited the Dawoods.
15. The Best Way Group
Sir Anwar Pervaiz is the Chairman of Bestway Group which started off as a
specialist Asian food store in West London in 1962. More retail units followed
and by the early l970’s the group had opened ten general food stores. He may
easily be dubbed the richest Pakistani. The Bestway Group moved into the
wholesale business in 1976 when its first Bestway cash and carry warehouse was
established in London. Rapid expansion in wholesaling followed during the
1980’s and 1990’s, and to date, the Bestway Group comprises of about 30. The
Bestway Group moved into the cement business in 1995 when it decided to set up
cement manufacturing plant in Pakistan at a cost of $120 million. In 2002, the
Bestway Group acquired a 25.5% stake in United Bank Limited. Today, the
Bestway Group has a diversified portfolio, with interests in cash & carry
wholesale, property investments, retail outlets, milling of rice, lentils and
pulses, cement production and more recently into banking. The group’s total
sales amounted to in excess of £ 1 billion for the year ended 30th June 2002.
The group provides direct employment to over 2300 people.
16. The Haroon Family
Headed by Yusuf Haroon, 9l, the former Sindh Chief Minister and Governor West
Pakistan, this family owns The Herald Group of publications which includes the
Daily Dawn, Monthly Herald, Aurora and Spider magazines. When he rose to
Karachi’s Mayorship, Yousaf was the youngest Mayor in sub-continent’s history.
This prominent scion of the Memon clan had remained a strong believer that
General Zia-ul-Haq bad launched systematic discrimination against the Karachi
businessmen that made the Memons fly outside Pakistan with their money.
Yosaf’s younger brother Mabmood A.Haroon has also remained Sindh’s Governor,
besides having served as ADC to Quaid-Azam at the age of 17. The Haroons;
wealthiest in the country once, are prominent media barons of today who enjoy
unmatched influence in country’s political and business arena. Sir Abdullah
Haroon, father of Yousaf and Mahmood, bad died in 1942, but sot before he had
devoted his residence for the cause of Pakistan. Handling both business and
politics at the same time never seemed tough job for the disciplined sons of
Sir Abdullah Haroon. Yousaf Haroon also served a country’s High Commissioner
to Australia. The great grandfathers of the Haroons had migrated to Karachi
some 150 years ago where they made fortunes in clothing and sugar trades.
17. The Yunus Brothers
The Chairman of this group is Abdul Razzak Tabba. This group owns one of the
largest warehouses (textile products) in Pakistan. The concerns falling under
the ambit of the Younus Brothers are Fazal Textiles, Gadoon Textiles, Lucky
Cement, Lucky Energy, Lucky Power-Tech, Lucky Textiles, Younus Textiles,
Security Electric Power Company and Younus Brothers etc. Razzak Tabba is an
active player in the politics of the prestigious All Pakistan Textile Mills
Association (APTMA) too, apart from assuming a king-maker’s role in the
political arena of the FPCCI. Tabba came to more limelight last year when he
hosted very heavily attended dinners in honour of the textile magnates from
all across the country, while siding with Messrs Tariq Saigol and Mian Mansha
in their battle against the APTMA Chief Waqar Monnno. He is quite a
philanthropist too and has initiated various welfare projects for his Memon
community in Karachi and Sindh. He frequently stars in the community welfare
programmes held under the auspices of the Asia Tabba Foundation, World Memon
Foundation and the Kathiawar Cooperative Housing society etc Tabba is a man
who likes to keep away from camera and despite all his influence and
riches-something which has made him earn tots of respect.
18. Gul Ahmad/Al-Karam Group
Gut Ahmad is one of the most vibrant Memon business houses in the country that
was founded by Haji Mohammad Pakolawala, but is now split between Gul Ahmad
and Al-Karam Group of Industries. While Gul Ahmad is headed by Bashir Al
Muhammad, the Al-Karam faction is controlled by Umar Haji Karim. In 1953, Gul
Ahmad was incorporated as a private limited company with a capital of Rs eight
million. Gul Ahmad is presently a composite unit with an installed capacity of
88,000 spindles, 108 air-jet looms and 297 conventional looms. The group has
been a pioneer in the field of power generation as well. Gul Ahmad’s directors
have held top positions in various textile bodies, export committees, besides
having assisted government of Pakistan in few major talks with EU and US. The
group is set to launch the Excel Insurance Company shortly as required
licenses/documentation stands done. Al-Karam, on (be other hand, is one of the
largest textile concerns in Pakistan producing superior quality yarn, apart
from having Amna Industries, Orient Textiles, Imran Crown Cork, Gul Agencies,
Dabheji Salt Works and Pakistan Synthetics in its wallet. It owns a
dairy-related establishment too by the name of Pakistan Dairy Products
Limited. During Moeen Qureshi’s tenure, Alt Muhammad was appointed Vice
Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau.
19. The Bawany Group
Bawany dynasty was founded by two Bawany brothers, Ahmad Karim Ebrahim Bawany
and Abdul Latif Ibrahim Bawany born in 1882 and 1890 respectively at Jetpur,
Kathiawar, who had migrated to Burma towards end the end of 19th century and
set up Ahmad Violin Hosiery Works in Rangoon. In 1947, they migrated to
Pakistan. It was perhaps in memory of the Hosiery Mills at Rangoon that a
company with the same name was incorporated in Karachi and is doing a
flourishing business. The name Bawany has its origin in the name of an elder
of the family, who was known for his honesty and hard work in home-town Jetpur.
They were the first among the Memons to open a purchase office in Japan and
nre currently active in textiles, jute, sugar, particle board, Oxygen,
leather, garments, tanneries and cables Bawanis are known to have maite night
investment decisions at the right time and their contemperaine still
acknowledge them for his quality. Bawanis are known to have made right
investments us the right time-something their contemporaries acknowledge.
20. The Servis Group
Shahid Hussain is the Chairman of this massive foot-wear giant whicb now is
neck-deep in textile business too. Shahid has replaced Ch Ahmad Saeed (sitting
PIA Chairman (as the Servis boss. Both Chaudhary Ahmed Saeed and President
General Musharraf happen to be old friends from their Forman Christian College
days. Ch. Ahmad Saeed’s younger brother Chaudhary Ahmed Multhtar is a
well-known Pakistan Peoples Party leader who has been the Federal Commerce
Minister of Pakistan during one of the two tenures of two-time ex-Premier
Benazir Bhutto. Ch. Ahmad Saeed’s son Arif Saeed is Chairman APTMA Punjab and
is siding with his Central Chief Waqar Munnoo against a huge number of textile
gurus. The Servis Group operates in sectors like shoes, tyres, cotton yarn,
leather, syringes and retailing. The political constituency of these
politicians-cum-businessmen also happens in be the feud-ridden Gujrat district
of Punjab where Ahmed Mukhtar sometimes emerges triumphant against President
Pakistan Muslim League Ch Shujaat Hussain, and at times loses the support of
voters for a National Assembly seat. It is this proximity with various regimes
that the Servis Group bus been rated so highly. And then, even if alleged for
a white-collard crime, these Servis guys remain relatively
comfortable-courtesy their clout as a political-cum-business family.
21. The Tata Family
Do not confuse the Tatas in Pakistan with their name-sake market leaders in
India. Having migrated from Nepal Mehboob Elahi started with a tannery in
Bangladesh much before 1971 but his five Sons Mehboob lqbal ‘Tata ( Chairman
Jinnah Hospital Lahore). Riaz Tata (President FPCCI) Anwar Tata (Former
Chairman APTMA), Khalid Tata and ljaz Tate together built 15 odd units, ably
supported by the third generation scions like Shahid, Masud and Hasan Tata.
Tatas are in textile spinning, weaving, denim, woven, knitwear, leather and
energy business. Having annual turnover in excess of Rs 1.5 billion, this
Chinioti family too traces its presence in business as early as 200 years from
now. Bound in a cohesive bond, each of the Tatas heads a separate unit. The
sitting Federation President Riaz Tata heads the Naveena Exports Division and
despite having faced some tough times at the top slot in the apex body.
Pakistan’s key business leader is holding his throne tightly, though there
have been occasions when he (Riaz Tata) seriously thought in terms of vacating
office due to business pre-occupation. But the mammoth number of colleagues
and friends around him barred him from doing so. The vintage Tatas overall
lead unassuming life styles. They love to remain in low key but prove their
worth when times demand.
22. The Alam Group
This establishment comprising three leather and two textile units is led by
former President Karachi Chamber Shahzada Alam, elder brother of sitting Vice
President FPCCI and Senior Vice chairman Pak-USA Business Council Arshad Alam.
Messrs Leather Connections, a joint venture with a UK conglomerate, is one of
those units managed by this group which happens to be Pakistan’s largest
exporter of value-added leather products. While Leather Connections is looked
after by Arshad Alam’s son Khurshid Alam, the textile arm of this group is
supervised by Faraz Alam son of Shafiq Alam, the youngest Alam brother. The
family has also made huge investments in real estate and stocks, within and
outside Pakistan. While the younger creed looks after business, the elder
Alams give time to their passion of playing ring leaders in the politics of
the FPCCI and other business chambers. The group also runs an import/export
entity by the name of Continental Traders, besides having recently set sails
for investment in media too. Shahzada Alam gained more recognition when he
went out airing strong resentment against the involvement of business
institutions in country’s politics. The Alams are an eminent Chinioti family
in business for the last 150 odd years, known more for dominance in leather
sector. COMPASS is the name of the philanthropic school for retarded and
disabled children which the Alams operate in Gulberg Lahore sans any external
assistance.
23. The Guard Group
The 87-year old Malik Shafi, decorated with Pakistan’s highest civil award,
still looks after numerous business entities with complete vigour. Eldest of
his four sons is the former LCCI/FPCCI President lftikhar Malik who is also
the sitting Chairman of Pak-US Business Council. The Guard Group deals in
automotive parts, filters, brake fluids and other vital accessories of motor
vehicles. The group has enjoyed monopoly in this business since 1959, when the
government servant turned magnate Malik Shaft decided to enter business. Guard
Rice, one of the largest exporters of this community around the world, is
being run by Shafis youngest son Shahzad Matte who is also holding the slot of
Lahore Chamber’s Vice President. The’ other two Maliks-Waqar and Shahbaz
control the technical sides of their family business, apart from keeping an
eye on this group’s real estate & agricultural land holdings. Maliks are an
Arain Punjabi family that also runs a few free hospitals and dispensaries.
Malik lftikhar however, is keener with his hobby to be in limelight all the
time and is perhaps Pakistan’s most photographed tycoon. While people refrain
from coming under camera when they grow in stature, Malik loves operating a
Lahore-Islamabad shuttle service to sit next to anyone who is ruling. But then
he delivers when needed
24. The Ejaz Group
This establishment owns country’s largest knitwear-cum-dyeing facility at
Lahore. More than half a dozen textile units of Ejaz Group are being run by
yet another chinioti scion Mian Gohar Ejaz, son of late Senator Sheikh Ejaz.
Gohar held the reins of this group very much during his college days when
Sheikh Ejaz left for his heavenly abode after protracted illness that lasted
months. Gohar is now a noted policy maker at both Federal and Provincial
Textile Boards. He is one of the Boards of Governors at the Punjab institute
of Cardiology Lahore. People started paying a heed to his leadership abilities
in 1997, when he took on the APTMA grey-heads convincingly during the 1997
annual polls and narrowly lost to his opponent in fight for the top slot.
Gohar then had led a rebellion comprising promising youth from renowned
textile families. Against the hegemony of stalwarts including the likes of
Messrs Tariq Saigol, Mansha and Jahengir Elahi etc. His younger brother Mian
Faisal Ejaz is the son-in-law of Shahzada Alam Monnoo. He is yet another
investor in mutual funds and real estate, though relies more on his obsession
i.e the textiles and his passion which is value-addition in this sector. The
services Gohar has rendered for creating awareness with reference to
value-addition are certainly quite meritrions.
25. The Tabani Family
The Tabanis are also deemed as one of the biggest groups associated with
manufacturing, trade, export and import business. They are one of the few
Pakistani industrialists holding massive stakes in Central Asian Republics.
They own Pakistan’s first private airline-Aero Asia. Yaqoob Tabani is this
group’s chairman. The fields of Tabanis’ businesses include counter trade and
barter transactions, textiles, fashion garments, leather, tourism,
automobiles, shipping, power generation, oil and gas, metals, chemicals,
fertilizers, cigarettes, cement and medicines. Tabanis have wings stretched
everywhere. You name a business field and Tabanis are there. But despite all
the clout it enjoys at the top levels, the family opts to remain modest.
Ashraf Tabani, an elder Tabani, has served Sindh’s Governor, Provincial
Minister of Finance, Industries, Excise and Taxation between 1981 and 1984. He
was appointed Honorary Administrator of the FPCCI during the 1971-1973 periods
soon after Bhutto’s Nationalization. Ashraf Tabani has also served as Chairman
Employers Federation Pakistan, President Silk and Rayon Mills Association and
former Chairman of Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan’s Board of
Directors. They are a leading Memon family, also engaged in funding various
public welfare schemes. Though scandals can confront any industrial
establishment of this size, Tabanis have been fairly lucky in evading them.
