View Full Version : Awami villas - A home for every Pakistani
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 06:47 PM As you should know Malik riaz is pakistans richest man and first billionaire and is also the brains behind Bahria town, the biggest real estate developers in Asia.
* Billionaire, in terms of dollars.
not is he just a billionaire but also a intelligent man and a great thinker combined with a patriotic heart for pakistan.
now this guy has set off to his next mission. It is a big mission because it will provide every pakistani with a home.
he will build 8000 awami villas every year all over pakistan, the houses will be fabricated and made in a factory. (preb houses)
the link below shows the whole process how they are constructed.
http://www.clayton.net/homes/constructionprocess.cfm
these are the houses which combated poverty in the usa, lets hope they can do the same with pakistan.
malik riaz has allready ordered his fabricated plant from malaysia, the malaysians will run the plant for the first year and will later hand it over to malik riaz's pakistani team on TOT basis.
the price for 2 bedroom houses will start at 5 lacks (£5000) in rawalpindi and finace will be given with it, so all you pay is a tiny Rs. 2000 (£20) per month for 20 years
the scheme is a non-profit scheme and malik riaz is doing for pakistan. the first batch has allready been announced which will be located in rawalpindi and have 5,000 villas, the location will be right infront of defence phrase 2. (the new hot and happening posh area of islamabad/rawalpindi).
100 villas have also been announced for the quake hit muzzafarabad. which is a test after 1000's more will be lauched in all quake hit areas in kashmir.
the awami villa community will have all the latest facilities you can enjoy in any posh citys, like clubs, gyms, communitee centers, commercial areas and schools which will provide education free of charge.
now lets take a look at some pre-fabricated houses and see how they will look.
http://www.clayton.net/showcase/east/ashland/image1.jpg
http://www.clayton.net/showcase/east/brunswick/image1.jpg
http://www.clayton.net/showcase/central/cayman/image1.jpg
http://www.clayton.net/showcase/east/avondale/image1.jpg
these are all pre-fabricated houses in usa, and should look like these.
rawalpindi villas, launched, these are 2 bedroom villas on 5 marlas.
http://www.awamivillas.com/index_files/Bahria_Town_Awami_Villas_Islamabad.jpg
more info on them from bahria town.
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/main/news_images/awami17oct05.JPG
Rkhan December 1st, 2005, 07:07 PM Malik Riaz is no billionaire! :lol: where did you get that from. his company might have become a billion rupee firm.... but he himself is not a billiobnairef ro sure. because even the richest man in pakistan is not a billionaire. namely Mansha.
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 07:50 PM you are wrong dude, malik riaz became a billionaire earlier this year.
and who is mansha never heard of him, second richest is jung group owner
Naqvi December 1st, 2005, 07:54 PM If those houses, most of the ones in the pictures, were here in the United States, they would have been considered low-income housing.
If he is truly a visionary, he needs to build homes that look like 21st century houses, and not 20th century houses. I would like to challege him to build modern homes of the 2000's, and not the 1960's.
These homes may be something big and a new concept in Pakistan, however, we must create the latest infrastructure and think ahead. These homes are going to be in existance for another 20-40 years. Think Future, Don't Think past.
And if he is a billionaire visionary, he would be looking at the latest designs, and get ahead of the game. Then it will bring him international respect that he may desire.
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 08:08 PM well these are low income houses with prices ranging from 5 lacks dude,
you think you can make a white house in 5 lacks,
most of these houses will go to homeless ppl so think positive,
21st centry houses are allreay availble in bahria town but thats if you have 1 crore lying around, which i doubt a homelessman has.
Naqvi December 1st, 2005, 08:33 PM If they are going to build houses for low-income people, why charge the homeless any money at all. Even then you can build quality houses for affordable prices. You don't have to look to the 1960s infrastructure to build a modern house. I am not talking about building a glass home. I am talking about building a simple modern house.
If he is a billionaire, he could do a lot of philanthropy for these homeless people. Give them the houses for free, if they are homeless. Modern TownHouses can be build for the same price.
I am not talking about building a White House, I am talking about building an affordable two room two bathroom home, within the modern infrastructure of homes. And by the way, the White House is not a modern building, it is an old infrastructure.
Plus, who is going to maintain their gardens for the houses? It would cost to maintain the gardens around the houses, which homeless can't afford. Every two weeks, the grass needs to be cut. Flowers and trees maintained, etc. Homeless can not afford all that, however, when we give them employment opportunities like in the Financial Industry, things can happen. Plus these picture houses can not withstand hurricanes or tornados in the United States, so how would they do when an earthquake happened?
I do not mean to disagree with you, I understand your viewpoint. I just want the Pakistanis to have the best quality and not settle for less. I want the Pakistani People to think ahead so we can be the leader in the Islamic World, rather than a follower.
There are many things that we can be a leader in, we must be in leader in every industry.
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 08:42 PM well dude your not making any sense at all.
first of all, you CAN NOT MAKE A MODERN HOME WITH 5 LACKS you dnt need to be a rocket science to actully understand that.
and stop giving childish comments like he should give them for free, would you give your house for free, he may be a billionaire that doesnt mean he shares his wealth with all pakistanis just because hes pakistani.
modern 2 bedrooms homes are availble all over lahore, there price goes from 20 lacks to 60 lacks.
forget about maintaining gardens, bahria have there own management to take care of there societys.
and please diegest this in, THESE HOUSES ARE FOR VERY LOW INCOME PEOPLE
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 09:31 PM and m8, hurracanes and earthqaukes are 2 complete different things,
these houses are light weight and ideal for earthqauke zones.
Rkhan December 1st, 2005, 11:05 PM you are wrong dude, malik riaz became a billionaire earlier this year.
and who is mansha never heard of him, second richest is jung group owner
you know about the jang group people beign second.. but you dont know about mansha family. thats pretty weird. mansha's been on top for ages now. they own. MCB and Nishaat mills to name a few.
Malik riaz is big.. ok but he's not there yet. he's probably just hit the billionaries list in RUPEES...not US dollars. cuz even the richest family in pakistan isnt worht a billion dollar yet.
Rkhan December 1st, 2005, 11:06 PM anyways.. coming to the topic of these houses.
I think these houses are ok. considering the fact that these are for the homeless people and no money will be charged from them. i think thats what the plan is right?
NewYork-wala December 1st, 2005, 11:10 PM Im sure in Pakistan its the homes that are important, not the look.
huit December 1st, 2005, 11:20 PM Those criticizing Malik Riaz's idea are just criticizing him for the sake of criticism. Their arguments have absolutely no weight at all! As per the advertisement posted above by Pakboy, a standard-version of a two-bed house is only Rs. 350K - which I believe is quite affordable. He isn't building these for the beggars that ploy our streets but its for low-income people who already pay around Rs. 2000 as monthly rent - alot of people will own a house with this scheme. I'm all for it!
As for Malik Riaz being a billionaire or not - personally, I don't care a shit but since RKhan thinks that Bahria Town is a billion rupee firm then all I have to say is that the poor soul has absolutely NO idea how BIG Bahria Town has become! Mian Mansha (MCB and Nishat Mill's owner) is definitely NOT the only rich man in Pakistan - infact, I doubt he's the richest! I personally believe Malik Riaz is worth at least a billion dollar.
pakboy December 1st, 2005, 11:47 PM well i have inside sources and can tell you malik riaz is a billionaire, in dollars, this year alone he has sold more files and plots then the rest of the 9 years put togerher of BT.
this year was a big turning point for BT. he sold sector c in just a few days and made $600 million in 6 hours from phrase 6 in pindi, he also sold out phrase 7/8/9 in pindi as well as safari villas, add that up and you will get a fortune.
and just top correct you the nishat group is owned by more then person, its like a family business.
pakboy December 2nd, 2005, 12:02 AM anyways.. coming to the topic of these houses.
I think these houses are ok. considering the fact that these are for the homeless people and no money will be charged from them. i think thats what the plan is right?
no money will be charged for the villas in the quake hit areas, but for the rest they will charge Rs. 2000 per month for 20 years.
homeless people can get them, because these days with soo many new factories and jobs being made you can easily get a Rs. 5000 a month job.
swerveut December 2nd, 2005, 04:25 AM Awami Villas sounds like an awesome idea.
One question. Where is he going to get all the wood for the chipboard or sheet rock that is used in the construction of these houses? Pakistan has already been chopped flat, and whatever precious little forest we have remaining, should be gone in the next couple of years...
asfar001 December 2nd, 2005, 07:54 AM a lot of the wood would be coming from the northern areas, but i believe a lot would be imported too.
By the way Benazir really killed the hills of murree. it was during her rule that all those green mountains which we used to see as children are now brown. and she made a LOT of private money with the exports of the precious pine wood. wat a *****
swerveut December 2nd, 2005, 08:57 AM wat a *****
ROFL LMAO! :rofl:
first time I ve heard anybody refer to bibi like that! hahahaha but how well it suits! seriously! what a b*+ch!
yeah, if its gonna use the wood from the northern areas, god save our forests or whatever is left of natural beauty in Pakistan. With houses being made out of wood now, its only a matter of time before all our hills and mountains become barren and start getting landslides because of lack of forest cover.
If they really want to use wood, a better idea would be to use commercial forests like they do here in the US. Trees are planted on big tracts of land on a five-eight year rotation period after which they are harvested for wood and replaced by new trees. Changa Manga might be a source of such wood supply. Otherwise, it would be a wise step if the government encourages commercial forestry.
Rkhan December 2nd, 2005, 11:20 AM Those criticizing Malik Riaz's idea are just criticizing him for the sake of criticism. Their arguments have absolutely no weight at all! As per the advertisement posted above by Pakboy, a standard-version of a two-bed house is only Rs. 350K - which I believe is quite affordable. He isn't building these for the beggars that ploy our streets but its for low-income people who already pay around Rs. 2000 as monthly rent - alot of people will own a house with this scheme. I'm all for it!
As for Malik Riaz being a billionaire or not - personally, I don't care a shit but since RKhan thinks that Bahria Town is a billion rupee firm then all I have to say is that the poor soul has absolutely NO idea how BIG Bahria Town has become! Mian Mansha (MCB and Nishat Mill's owner) is definitely NOT the only rich man in Pakistan - infact, I doubt he's the richest! I personally believe Malik Riaz is worth at least a billion dollar.
well my poor soul sure knows how big bahria is. i dont want to get into an arguement here.
from what my updated knowledge says..malik riaz can not be a billion dollar person. and if he has become one.. then i am more than happy for him. finally some pakistani comes in to the billionaires' list.
as for mian mansha..well...he has been the richest man in pakistan for quite some time now.
choudry December 2nd, 2005, 11:38 AM This is almost a year old piece I had in my collection on my web site.Would like to share with friends here because its my favorite piece.
Malik Raiz is now a billionaire in dollars and on top of the list after selling Bahria Town phase 9 and Bahria Town sector C.Yes thousands of people own plots in his schemes but he still own 25% plus residential plots in these phases.He also own every inch of commercial plots in these phases that are cream of these projects and worth much more then all residential plots together(For example DHA Lahore Kanal plot is 65 lacs but 4 marla commercial plots is 2 cores+ in same phase).On top of all these commercial ad residential plots in BT phase 9 and sector C Lahore he now own thousands of Kanals near city limits of most major cities.He is still buying more land for future expansion before launching his new projects in other cities.Every place his Land cruiser makes a stop even for refueling.Land prices is doubled in week in that area.Guy is just very lucky used his brain very smartly in last ten years turned $200000 into $ billion +
Please note calculations does show cerrectly all of bahria Town propertiees Malik Riaz and general buplic combined do cross $36 billion mark.
Ch Mujahid Yasin
Pakistan’s top 40 most influential business magnates or Groups details
Short-listing Pakistan’s most influential business magnates or Groups has never been an easy task because there are the people who have been very powerful in nearly every regime that has held this country’s reins since the last 57 years and then we have had those seasonal species that maneuvered their voice to be heard better than most within the power corridors, but later vanished into the oblivion for one reason or the other. We have selected only those tycoons who have made their presence felt for a better part of country’s history, have earned consistently, have been setting up units at regular intervals or have been legends in stocks, currency or real estate business. A few of the guys featuring in our list of TOP 40 may seem relatively new entrants in business for you, but the kind of money they have managed to mint, courtesy immense influence in the right quarters is both phenomenal and eye-brow raising. And they are still growing, mind you! Anybody can possess money but everybody doesn\'t have the right influence. Those possessing both these divine bounties in tandem are surely the chosen ones on this Earth. Had former two-time Premier Nawaz Sharif either been in power today or at least not in exile, his business empire-The House of Ittefaq owning some 30 odd companies- would have topped this list below. The Sharifs remained in absolute power for at least 15 years or for more than 25 percent of country’s history. During this period, they ruled Pakistan directly or indirectly. So, it will be a little unfair for the Sharif family if we make them head this list at a rather very uncomfortable juncture of their existence, because soon after losing power on October 12,1999-even an ordinary bank manager or an Income Tax officer went out framing cases of default and evasion against them. Whether the Sharifs plundered the exchequer or they did not- the successes, laurels and riches of the Ittefaq Group (especially after 1979) have been so pronounced that people will keep on talking about them for many years to come. And then who knows, they stage a come-back with a bang and yet again head all such ratings! We will have to wait till that time for any amendments in the ratings in our list though. We have laid emphasis on the kind of influence these men have among the circles that matter. But that doesn’t mean these business figures have been above law. They may have extracted favours out of merit, but then you will always hand over an airplane to a pilot and not a Formula One race driver, who can otherwise be more charismatic. People have had mixed fortunes so you cannot single out any one for being the luckiest of all or vice versa. Look at Mian Mansha. If he got a favour while buying the Muslim Commercial Bank, he was deprived of his genuine right to buy the United Bank Limited. Saigols once owned it. Life is like that, therefore, the word ‘influence’ here shouldn’t be read with a suspicion but with the trust in the maxim that influence coupled with money makes the best success combination and only the chosen ones are gifted with this package. Success has never been on side of these 40 magnates throughout their lives, but whenever Lady Luck did knock at their doors, it did so with a lot of conviction. Every rise hath a fall, but people in our list are the ones who made hay while the sun shone. Pakistan has hardly had a ruler who was ignorant of these pillars of the private sector during his time. Such has been the hype of these affluent magnates that its echoes have all the potential to hit many an ear drum very hard for decades. Unfortunately, our extensive research does not currently include the names of a few stars that shone brightly amidst the galaxy of the influential creed of yesteryear like C.M.Latif of BECO- the Steel Man of Pakistan- who did make a lot of name once, but then got gifted with contentment somehow, although the late business wizard got very badly hit by Bhutto’s nationalization of 1970 which had inflicted an astounding thud to everybody in business then. Had it not been the case, many of our tycoons may well have managed to gain the kind of status greeting the likes of Birlas and Tatas in India today, if not the one saluting Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. You may also be stunned to read that our TOP 40 do not include the names which are deemed by most adjudicators to have easily made up to this list, but facts are sometimes bitter. All that glitters is not gold. So let us go through this list which DOES NOT necessarily have the richest at the forefront. I personally envy a major chunk in this list because, through their acumen and unchallengeable intellectual assets, they have been requested at times to guide most Finance and Commerce Ministers, help the State Bank of Pakistan frame fiscal and monetary policies and invent mechanisms to deal with economic challenges that have been confronting Pakistan at recurring intervals. Most of the 40 men in our list have never held a high post in any regime but remained king-makers. Others here have been at the helm of affairs on a few occasions in life. Among these gifted individuals, you will find politicians-turned-businessmen, businessmen-turned-politicians or even the businessmen-cum-politicians. With malice towards none and with no intention to decorate somebody, The Tycoon International thus takes the pride of announcing these names. All reserve the right to differ on some names though, but then that is the way it all goes. I hope this document will go a long way in serving as the most authentic endeavour of its kind for a very long time to come. It has been prepared very carefully in consultation with leading real estate barons, stock moghuls, business leaders of virtue and senior bureaucrats at the Central Board of Revenue.
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.
26. The Tapal Group
Is headed by Aftab Tapal. The group’s success in tea business has astounded many. The journey of Tapal’s remarkable success is the combined harvest of three generations of this family. In 1947, Tapal started out as a family concern under the supervision of Adam Ali Tapal. Faced with tough competition from very well known tea brands in the market, the Tapals dispelled the common impression that their capital base would soon be eroded. The company grew under Faizullah Tapal, whose son Aftab today brings a lot of innovation and marketing vision to make Tapal a household name. After having lived abroad, Aftab rushed hack home with flourishing ideas and introduced new concepts in the commodity that was first sold at Thomas Garway’s Coffee House in London in 1657. Equipped with latest state-of-the art blending and tea-mixing paraphernalia. Tapal is today Pakistan largest tea company as its consumption runs into millions of cups every month, according to an estimate by this company’s marketing division. In December 1997, Tapal Tea became the first Pakistani of its kind to have attained the ISO-9001 certification. Tapals are also known to have stakes in power generation business. But their tea makes the Tapals known to all. The group claims nearly 1.4 million cups of tea in Pakistan are made of Tapal every hour.
27. The Atlas Group
This group was founded by Yousaf Sherazi, a former Income Tax official and journalist in 1962 with a capital of Rs 03 million only. The first company set by the Atlas Group was Sherazi Investments (Pvt) Limited and since then, there is no looking back. The East Pakistan tragedy, however, nearly crippled Sherazi but he never lost hope and went out forming numerous joint ventures with leading Japanese concerns like Honda. Atlas-Honda today is a name to reckon with in country’s engineering sector and associated with this just one name are hundreds of vendors. He holds stakes in insurance, financial services, information technology, leasing, warehouses, office equipment, motor cars and motorcycle-assembling units, besides running a renowned firm that manufactures batteries. Sherazi owns the Atlas Investment Bank too. The Federal Budget 2004-05 is perhaps the only budget in country’s history that has hit the very influential car manufacturers on the head, otherwise people like Yousaf Sherazi have always managed to dictate terms where it matters. The Atlas Group owns no less than seven companies quoted on the stock exchanges of Pakistan. The group’s assets are believed to have touched the Rs 15 billion mark and so have the sales.
28. The Abid Group
Is run by Sheikh Abid Hussain alias Seth Abid. He is one of the most resourceful developers/builders in the country owning vast stretches of land in major cities. On this land worth many billion of rupees, Seth has constructed residential schemes under the brand name of “Green Fort.” Seth came into this business after decades of notoriety as being one of the spearheads in cross-border smuggling. While many remember Seth for his allegedly illegal trading stints, a lot of informed circles still say with conviction that he, along with Dr.Qadeer and former Premier Bhutto, was the brain behind the success of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. About three dozen of Seth’s very close relatives, friends and nephews are members of country’s bourses and for many years now, the Seth Abid group assumes the role of king-makers during the annual polls of these stock exchanges. He is a leading investor in stocks, metals and currency but what gives him immense pleasure is his philanthropic institution Hamza Foundation that he sponsors for the welfare of deaf and dumb children. Pakistan has not had a single ruler, politician, bureaucrat or Army General who doesn’t know the Seth who is more of a myth for most. The Seth, throughout his life, has avoided publicity-a fact known to most journalists.
29. The Sheikhani Family
They are one of the most reputed land developers in the country. The Sheikhani, although not a very big industrial establishment by any means, are led by Abu Bakar Sheikhani. The Sheikhanis are famous for their construction and land development-related errands. Abu Bakar is deemed to be one of the largest investors in real estate trade at Gwadar Port. He has all the right connections that are required to be in such business. Despite being well known to the national political circles, the man in street knew more of him during March/April 1991 when he surfaced as the single largest contributor to then Premier Nawaz Sharif’s Debt Retirement Fund with a donation of Rs 450 million. Today, his adversaries dub him a land mafia man, alleging him for selling his Gwadar land at only $ 4000 per acre only to senior Army officials while the same was being sold at $ 2,50,000 per acre to ordinary investors. But that is the way Sheikhani runs his vast land/construction empire. Accusations don’t disturb Sheikhani, who according to many large developers is a man who has managed to create tremendous impression in land business. The rumours of his landing in any Pakistani City for land acquisition purposes, helps the price of real estate surge unprecedently overnight.
30. The Dadabhoy Group
Abdul Ghani Dadabhoy was the founder of Dadabhoy group, starting in trade and branching off into the construction business. The group has a big share of cement market in Southern Pakistan. Memons by clan, Dadabhoys are closely related to the Bawanies. Abdul Ghani Dadabhoy had five sons and two daughters, namely Noor Mohammad Dadabhoy, Mohammad Farooq Dadabhoy, Mohammad Hussain Dadabhoy, Abdullah Hussain Dada Bhoy and Ghulam Mohammad Dadabhoy. Daughters are Mrs Mehrunisa Jaffer and Mrs Zaibunisa Tanveer. This Group has massive investments in cement, energy, construction, leasing, polyester, banking and insurance etc. Dadabhoys are seasoned campaigners and perhaps do not like being brought into any sort of reckoning like the Habibs. Despite being a formidable business entity, this family is deemed to be extremely reluctant throughout its history, when it comes to flashing headlines, but mind you these unassuming Dadabhoys are still news-worthy. Any good day, you might hear them doing something new. Stock pundits know a lot more about their past stints at the country’s bourses.
31. The Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited
Malik Riaz Hussain heads the massive project which is currently developing state-of-the-art schemes in Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Though Malik Riaz may not be having a very renowned name in business circles, fact has it that the value of his land-holdings both within & outside Pakistan amounts dozens of billions of rupees. Emerging out of the blue, this developer has reportedly developed tremendous connections where it matters in Pakistan-One of the few reasons why his constructed projects get completed in time without hindrance. Whether he has gifted bungalows free of cost of country’s bigwigs or offered them at highly concessional rates, the reality on the ground is that Malik has managed to mesmerize most through his generous wallet. Possessing no convincing financial background, Malik Riaz is known to have been benefited immensely-courtesy patronage of former Pakistan Navy chief admiral retired Mansoor ul Haq. Others say both Malik and the admiral had stuck a $ 200,000 deal but the man behind the Bahria Town is least moved and irrespective of who is in power; he continues to build house after house-swelling his wealth. And then he is happy being a sponsor for many-welfare parties held under patronage of the ruling elite.
32. Adamjee Group
The seed of the formidable Adamjee Empire was sown by Haji DAwood in 1896 by establishing a commodity trading company. His son Sir Adeamjee, Haji Dawood went out building a match factory, second largest of its kind then, in 1923 at Rangoon (Burma). By 1947 Adamjee Group wan the biggest exporter of jute from Calcutta. During Bhutto’s nationalization, they lost the Muslim Commercial Bank & stakes in the Mohammadi Steamship Company, leaving then with only Adamjee sugar Mills and Adamjee Cotton Mills, Karachi. Toda, they own the KSB pumps, besides having poured money in paper flooring, diesel engineering, construction centre, garments, general trading, insurance and chemicals etc. one of the biggest names in 1970’s, the Adamjee some-how failed to keep hold on Pakistan’s largest insurance companies. The Adamjee Insurance Company is one of them, which still has around 70% of country’s total insurance business & is the most internationally reputed and accepted Pakistani company of its kind.
33. Jahangir Siddiqui& Co
This firm has floated ABAMCO which is perhaps the largest mutual fund in Pakistan’s capital market arena. The firm offers full financial services in the securities industry. ABAMCO is a joit venture among major Pakistani and foreign institutions including International Financial Corporation (IFC) headquartered in Washington. Muslim Commercial Bank, Saudi Pak Commercial Bank & Messrs AMVESCAP, which is a British company created through the merger of the AIM Management Group with and into a subsidiary of INVESCO which is one of the largest asset managers on the globe having assets worth approximately $ 348 billion under its direct management. While the Munawwar Aslam Siddiqui is the Chairman of this apex capital market operator, Najam Ali sits in the Chairman’s office of the Jahengir Siddiqui and company. The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PCRA) has awarded heartening long and short term ratings to this concern. ABAMCO was incorporated in 1995. ABAMCO is the first asset management company in the private sector in the country. MCB, with a deposit base in excess of Rs 182 billion & operating with a network of 257 on-line branches too has played a major role in ABAMCO’s success.
34. THE Din Group
The group is headed by S.M.Muneer, former president of FPCCI and that of the Karachi Gymkhana. He is vice chairman of Muslim Commercial Bank too.Muneer’s din Group is engaged in textiles and leather business mainly, though this Chinoti family has also made massive investments in real estates and stock business too.Muneer has been active in few political tenures too, as the former two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto had appointed him Minister of state along with Mian Habibullah, another Chinoti who has headed the FPCCI too. Though people still remember Habibullah as having served as Chairman Export Promotion Bureau during Benazir Bhutto’s regime, they tend to forget that time had come when Muneer also shared EPB’s Fairs and Exhibition Division with him.Muneer’s son SM.Tanveer is a key figure at APTMA Punjab Zone. He is a busy bee in business politics. Despite hectic life schedule, he still manages to take time out and play an active role at prime business bodies in one way or the other.muneer has a visible instinct to be district-a passion that has helped him rise to all heights. At Din Textiles, the entrepreneurs have strived to produce nearly 1000 shades by mixing dyed cotton.
35. The Adil Group
Mian Adil Mehmood, who is married to Mian Mansha’s niece, is in textiles business mainly, but what has actually helped him climb the ladder of fame and respect, have been his untiring efforts to resolve the problems of bank defaulters under Governor State Bank of Pakistan, in collaboration with country’s Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) all of which has resulted in revival of sick induxtries. Both defaulters & banks appear indebted to Adil as he has visibly save one party from a possible action & other from spending millions of rupees on lenghthy litigation. Along with Mian Usman, Adil was appointed member Governor SBP, s Dispute Resolution Committee on Defaulted Loans in 2001 and since then he has been flying between Lahore & Karachi to provide respite to some 700 defaulters meaning thereby that he has been catalyst in helping banks recover billions of rupees from their stuck up credits. Adil is also senior Vice Chairman APTMA Punjab zone. By vitue of the honorary slots he holds, this Chinoti magnate has been one of the most sought after businessman in the country of late, despite him chanting the merit slogan. Like most of his contemporaries, he too has excelled in philanthropic services. Free eye-treatment is what his charity specialises in.
36. Chenab Group
Mian Muhammad Latif supervises this group along with his brother Mian Ashfaque- a legislator in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Founded in 1975, Chenab Limited set up its first fashion outlet “Chen One.” Chen One has seven outlets throughout Pakistan. After establishing its retail chain stores in various cities of Saudi Arabia, the group is now planning to establish its new retail chains in Bahrain, UA.E, Qatar, Kuwait and Central Asian Republics. While Chenab Group is an eight-time Export Trophy winner, its Chief Mian Latif has won the ‘Businessman of the Year award on four different occasions from various business bodies. Chenab is principally engaged in manufacture and distribution of clothing, furniture goods, including non-iron suit, quilt cover and curtains etc. Chenab processes 50 million square metres fabric weaving and 75 million square metres fabric dyeing every year and has established a global sales network spanning across five continents. Chenab is licensed to the Swedish Texcote Technology in the manufacturing and sale of textile materials, garments and textile house-hold goods. In August 2003, the Chenab Group signed a Rs 900 million loan facility with the National Bank of Pakistan. The group’s textile products have been awarded the Oekotex 100 accreditation.
37. Sitara Group
Started its activity with textile weaving as early as 1956, under brothers Haji Abdul Ghafoor and Haji Bashir Ahmed. It is now its textile cloth finishing and processing, textile spinning, chlor-alkali sector and in power generation. The units owned by this establishment include Sitara Chemicals, Sitara Chemicals (Textile Division 1) and Sitara Chemicals (Textile Division 11), Sitara Textiles, Sitara Energy and Yasir Spinning. The charities being managed under the aegis of Sitara group are Aziz Fatima Hospital, Ghafoor Bashir Children Hospital and Aziz Fatima Girls School. Sitara’s name with the industrial City of Faisalabad is synonymous. They are the decades-old veterans in business, who have excelled in leaps and bounds. At their units, the owners of Sitara use technology imported from Japan, UK and Germany and are export leaders in bedding and fabric collection to South America, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. Their textile divisions together operate at strength of 33,984 spindles. The Sitara (group, to a common man, is more famous for its lawn brands like Sitara Sapna and Mughal-e-Azam. The men at helm of affairs in Sitara hardly believe in setting up dozens of units, of which they are otherwise very much capable of.
38. The Colony Group
Mian Muhammad lsmaeel Sheikh, who laid the foundation stone of this group, set up his first factory in 1898, first flour mill in 1908, taking Colony Group’s total tally to 14 ginning factories and 4 flour mills by 1947. The group suffered heavily during Zulfiqar Bhutto’s nationalization and it was left only with a few textile mills, flour mills and ginning factories. Though Sheikh Ismaeel’s heirs could not manage to take Colony’s name to the top, they have had an excellent time. But despite their share of hard luck, Colony Group’s owners that still run some jute, textile and financial companies. Colony Textile Mills was the first unit of its kind to go into operation in independent Pakistan. Ismaeel Sheikh’s sons Aziz, Naseer, Farooq and Mughis have also been active in politics. They once owned equities in newspaper and a few of them even went out contesting elections in 1970. These Colony people, many thought, could have scaled far more greater heights, because the kind of start they had in business falls in the lap of very lucky people only.
39. Arif Habib Securities
This company is owned by Chairman Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Arif Habib. It is one of the largest brokerage operations on the bourse. One of its subsidiaries-Arif Habib Investment Management Limited-specialises in mutual funds. By 2001, this concern was listed on all the three stock exchanges. Since its inception, Arif Habib Securities has been one of the best-performing and most profitable brokerage houses in the country, helping its net profit jump to Rs 751.9 million by almost 200%. At the same time, the overall capital base of this firm had almost doubled to Rs 1415.1 million till 2003. Recently, Arif went out slating the imposition of 0.1 per cent Capital Value Tax on turnover and managed to get it slashed through negotiations with the government. Operating with numerous high-worth clients, Arif Habib has won it all through the reputation and connections he has managed to build since 1989. Arif’s success is also attributed to the generous per centage of cash dividend and bonus issues that he believes in announcing regularly. The company’s assets had surged from Rs 73.54 million in 1997-98 to Rs 2178.95 million by 2002-03, while earning per share had soared from 3.72 to 12532 during the same corresponding period.
40. Kassim Dada
Kassim Dada, hails from a 19th Century Memon business family known to have possessed the vision of international trade when most of their contemporaries were rather naïve on this count. This family had offices in Burma, South Africa and countries of the Far-East long before 1940. Dadas, have held decisive positions at the Karachi Stock Exchange and own shares of various Pakistani and foreign monopolies without creating any hype. Kassim Dada’s family is known to have held major local equity in multinationals like Glaxo SmithKline, Brook Bond and Berger Paints, besides being the sponsoring directors of Messrs Hyderabad Electronics, Automotive Battery Limited and Interfund Bank etc. Kassim Dada is one of the few Pakistani Tycoons who used to fly on private planes from Karachi to hit cement plants in Hyderabad. It was this family which had hired Mahatama Gandhi as a solicitor in 1890 to contest a business case in South Africa. Dada, was once a symbol of wealth.
---Coutesy--
The Tycoon International
Naqvi December 2nd, 2005, 06:27 PM Pakboy, one can build a modern apartment building for an affordable price. You don't have to be a rocket scientist. Frankly, I do not think you see my point.
First, they are building affordable houses in the U.S. which look a lot different then the 1950s model. And they are of the same price. Just Newer Concepts, and New Ideas. Not copy cats. We don't have to follow the infrastructure of the 1950s.
Pakboy, also you said that he was building these houses for homeless people, that's why I said he should give them for free, specially if they are build for the earthquake victims.
I have a differing opinion and I hope to prove your theory wrong that one has to look at the past to bring affordability. If affordability is an issue, then look at the infrastructure of the 1820s, then that would be cheaper than 5lacks. It is done with cars, it can be done with homes as well. Adam Motors is the Automobile Example with Revo, they didn't go to a 1950s model.
Anyways, that is my final say. You have the opportunity for the last word. I do not want to debate with you. Just offering my opinion on the idea. I was disappointed that they are building it in the infrastructure of the 1950s.
asfar001 December 2nd, 2005, 07:26 PM naqvi malik riaz is a business man not a social worker. plus he does not have money to throw around. secondly he plans to build 8000 houses yearly, i dnt think he can continue just giving them out for free after 7 or eight years. instead if he charges a low price like he is it will provide poor with housing and he could continue with this plan till like he said "every pakistani gets a home". secondly the poor have a lot of opportunities these days not just from increased employment but also cheap loans from institutions like the khushali bank etc etc.
have you seen or head of bill gates make plans of providing every poor household of the U.S with a computer.....
pakboy December 2nd, 2005, 08:49 PM naqvi malik riaz is a business man not a social worker. plus he does not have money to throw around. secondly he plans to build 8000 houses yearly, i dnt think he can continue just giving them out for free after 7 or eight years. instead if he charges a low price like he is it will provide poor with housing and he could continue with this plan till like he said "every pakistani gets a home". secondly the poor have a lot of opportunities these days not just from increased employment but also cheap loans from institutions like the khushali bank etc etc.
have you seen or head of bill gates make plans of providing every poor household of the U.S with a computer.....
naqvi is lacks common sense like i said
malik riaz has 35 billion dollar construction work to do in lahore,pindi, sialkot and karachi and he wants malik riaz to give the poor free houses and forget about all the other works.
Naqvi December 2nd, 2005, 11:33 PM I still do not think that some here may see what the point I am trying to lay across. I am very misunderstood, I don't disagree with what Mr. Malik is trying to do, I just want to offer greater guidance.
I didn't refer to wood vs. brick or steel argument. One can make a design that is different from the 50/60s design, while using wood, why copy cat when you can create your own structure, retangular/circular shaped instead of the common house with a triangle roof. Also, they can put solor power in those areas, so when the electricity from the local power companies may be cut off, solor power would be affordable, clean, and efficient energy.
There is a difference between homeless and low-income. I thought that you were refering to homeless, I missunderstood, and I offer you my apologies
I may lack common sense, but I advise you not to get personal, we should not go in to these times of arguments. Every human has the potential to be creative and bring in new ideas. We need to encourage our people with their ideas, they may have modern solutions, and with the right ambitions, who knows, they may bring up the next big idea.
Yes, Mr. Asfar, I forgot, I am in American. I guess in Pakistan, Corporations/Businessmen aren't expected to be Philantrophists, while in America, Businessmen are expected to be Philantrophists, and many businessmen donate millions.
I may be a young man, but I am only one of many young people who have ideas that we hope to implement in tomorrow's world.
I love you guys, and I apologize for my debate. I just wanted to offer another alternative, and bring in different angles and ideologies of thought. I guess it does not work here.
pakboy December 3rd, 2005, 12:39 AM I didn't refer to wood vs. brick or steel argument. One can make a design that is different from the 50/60s design, while using wood, why copy cat when you can create your own structure, retangular/circular shaped instead of the common house with a triangle roof. Also, they can put solor power in those areas, so when the electricity from the local power companies may be cut off, solor power would be affordable, clean, and efficient energy. .
i know you didnt refer to wood vs steel but you said he should build an apartment building which uses bricks and costs many times more then wood.
and please stop the nonsesne of copycat, preb houses are used worldwide to combat poverty,
and btw 90% houses in pakistan have those retangular/circular roofs anyway.
There is a difference between homeless and low-income. I thought that you were refering to homeless, I missunderstood, and I offer you my apologies.
yes they can be for homeless is what i ment, if they get a job they can easily afford this and these days there are many jobs being created.
I may lack common sense, but I advise you not to get personal, we should not go in to these times of arguments. Every human has the potential to be creative and bring in new ideas. We need to encourage our people with their ideas, they may have modern solutions, and with the right ambitions, who knows, they may bring up the next big idea. .
well i wasnt trying to get personal but your comments didnt make any sense.
you are right you can be creative and bring in new ideas, but for your idea you need alot more money which only the middle class can afford.
Yes, Mr. Asfar, I forgot, I am in American. I guess in Pakistan, Corporations/Businessmen aren't expected to be Philantrophists, while in America, Businessmen are expected to be Philantrophists, and many businessmen donate millions. .
being a Philantrophists doesnt mean you build 8000 houses and hand them over for free.
malik riaz is the largest charity donater in pakistan, donating many millions a year, enought said if hes a Philantrophists or not.
I love you guys, and I apologize for my debate. I just wanted to offer another alternative, and bring in different angles and ideologies of thought. I guess it does not work here.
there is no reason to get angry, the reaction would have been the same anywere else,
what alternative did you offer, to replace preb houses with brick houses, please rethink about the prices and see whos wrong or not.
Naqvi December 3rd, 2005, 12:53 AM I never mentioned bricks, specifically. Bricks aren't required to built apartments, you can use stucko, concrete, steal, or wood. Brick's arn't always modern.
The only concern with wooden houses is that if there is a fire, that house is gone.
And by the way, the reaction is not the same anywhere else. Infact, in some places my opinions would be encouraged. I have talked with my professors about these ideas, and they encouraged me.
But I can see why Pakistan is not developed to it's potential, because people like me who lack common sense are discouraged, and leave the country and pursue their ventures elsewhere.
Anyways, why try to belittle my comments, I lack common sense, so I am not worth waisting your time.
pakboy December 3rd, 2005, 01:01 AM dude, im not even gona bother replying to that.
pakboy December 3rd, 2005, 01:15 AM and just one thing about the house cathing fire, bahria have relized that and will put a system in place for it.
choudry December 4th, 2005, 10:22 AM Malik Raiz explain HOW Awami Villas will be funded
http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/attachment.php?aid=202
pakboy February 3rd, 2006, 08:52 PM Chief Minister On Visit To Awami Villas Model House
Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parvaiz Elahi and President PML-Quaid Group Ch. Shujat Hussain and CEO Bahria Town Mr. Malik Riaz visited the Awami Villas Model House in Islamabad on 31st January 2006.
C.M. Signing Guest Book
CM was greatly impressed with the quality of finishes at the model house. He was surprised to find out that the house will be available to the general public for only three hundred fifty thousand rupees. He said “this new technology will play a vital role to fulfill need of masses". Appreciating this initiative by Bahria Town, he said that it would open new ways to promote housing and construction sector and will help mitigate the housing crisis in Pakistan. He pledged his full support to the housing industry explaining that “the housing industry has a great potential as one of the main drivers of economic growth. It can not only become the biggest creator of jobs but can also support a large number of allied industries, thus creating demand for growth of the economy on the one hand and on the other, contribute to efforts for the alleviation of poverty from the country.” He further added that this project will revolutionize the housing industry in Pakistan and will also encourage other housing societies to introduce technological innovations, which will help boost the nation’s economy.
Awami Villas is an exclusive project of Bahria Town which caters to the demands of the lower income class and will help arrest the widening gap between the demand and supply of the houses in the country. The Phase I of the project will be launched in Bahria Town Islamabad, adjacent to the D.H.A Phase 2 Extension. The project for the first time introduces pre-fabricated technology for building houses, the Italian plant for which has been imported from Malaysia. An eleven member Malaysian team will be leading the plant for three years before handing over the plant to the local team here in Pakistan.
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/new/images/main/ext1.JPG
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/new/images/main/ext2.JPG
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/new/images/main/ext_nite.JPG
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/new/images/main/int1.JPG
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/new/images/main/int2.JPG
Aryan February 6th, 2006, 04:42 AM Thats pretty impressive, but shouldn't he be building two floored houses? Cities are highly populated as it is, and we should be more economical with space.
Naqvi, I also think you should grow some thicker skin. One person has responded badly to your comments, and you've ran away sulking. So what if he disagrees with what you said? There's no need in being a woman about it.
Oh and most of us here live in the west, so you aren't exactly someone special.
That being said, you could have been a little more welcoming Pakboy.
UnitedPakistan February 6th, 2006, 04:47 AM Indeed!
I just noticed this nonsense and I am quite angry now.
Kanwar July 31st, 2006, 04:56 PM Assalamualaikum,
Hectic debate indeed.... not on the intended topic of the thread.. but everything else not to mention that issue one more time..!!
When will these houses be ready for utilization. If we humor the payment schedule of the installments on their website and read between the lines, it looks like there is atleast a two year waiting period.
Any one more up-to-date on this..??
PkPride August 5th, 2006, 01:34 AM why are you fighting with someone for posting a valid point, because you yourself don't have any command of the english language? A low income family is not defined as homeless, they are two different things, and at any rate, point is the Homes are being build as a non-profit project.
Alhumdulila for all that him and his group are doing for Charity.
oogabooga August 5th, 2006, 02:16 AM why are you fighting with someone for posting a valid point, because you yourself don't have any command of the english language? A low income family is not defined as homeless, they are two different things, and at any rate, point is the Homes are being build as a non-profit project.
Alhumdulila for all that him and his group are doing for Charity.
Finally someone with some sensible comments!
hashamazmat1983 May 5th, 2007, 01:34 PM Ok guys....i saw this thread 2 days ago and thought of getting more info about it.....guys tell me are they still doing the bookings or they are fully booked for the next 4-5 years and have stoped the bookings for rightnow...
plus..anyone have visited the model houses? as i am getting very much intrested in them, if anyone have visited them, do let us enlighten with his/her views about it
swerveut May 6th, 2007, 08:03 PM wow! your nick's a real tongue twister
SSC May 6th, 2007, 09:00 PM hasham azmat 1983 - no more tongue twister :)
hashamazmat1983 May 7th, 2007, 01:20 PM ^^
yeah...its Hasham Azmat 1983....seems like problem solved...
now back to my question about the villas
transistorized May 7th, 2007, 03:10 PM I just noticed this thread too. And UP, I think he is sticking with single floored design to save cost. I think its a pretty decent design for such a low priced house.
NewYork-wala May 7th, 2007, 04:46 PM I dont think Pakistanis would be willing to live in these homes.. As soon as they find out they were made for the lower income class, they will asume its for poor people and stay away, even if they are poor themselves.
Izuth ki baath hai.
safe_blood May 7th, 2007, 05:11 PM i think they could have been double story, and i dnt think people would stay away from these houses, you might not know but over 70% of pakistanis live in lower class areas, moving from one lower class area to another (and this ones alot better) wouldnt be hard for them.
FK May 7th, 2007, 06:04 PM The model house looks like a joke! Looks like the houses they used to build here in North America 50 years back! Single Story, Single Garage !
oogabooga May 7th, 2007, 08:31 PM The model house looks like a joke! Looks like the houses they used to build here in North America 50 years back! Single Story, Single Garage !
Well gee, it is for poor people.
FK May 7th, 2007, 09:37 PM Our lower class people have standards aswell :lol:
SSC May 8th, 2007, 02:58 AM looks like a "little house in prairie". they should be building awami condos :hilarious
hashamazmat1983 May 8th, 2007, 08:43 AM I dont think Pakistanis would be willing to live in these homes.. As soon as they find out they were made for the lower income class, they will asume its for poor people and stay away, even if they are poor themselves.
Izuth ki baath hai.
Agree with NewYork-wala
Sikandar May 9th, 2007, 11:35 AM Come on now.. I think there are millions of people in Pakistan who would move into these homes in a second.. yes, millions. Remember who these are meant for, not to mention the street lighting/land for kids to play/landscaping/neighbourhood atmosphere that comes with these homes that would be unheard of for some of the families moving into these.
People who are demanding two-floored houses.. it's kinda hard to build a pre-made two-floor house in a factory.. at least this is the start of something that will hopefully grow over time.
Also, someone said these should be given away for free.. that's nonsense.. not only would it hurt Bahria, our most significant indigenous developer.. but making people work for their homes and giving them a sense of responsibility and legitimate ownership lends to a sense of pride and achievement that no charity can provide. I think most Pakistanis would tell you they would prefer to work hard and pay for their home rather than have it given to them.
FK May 9th, 2007, 07:05 PM I'm afraid thats not the case, the houses may look good to the everyone here but the poor/lower class would never go into these homes because of these obvious reasons;
- Property Tax
- Electricity Bill
- Water Bill
- Water & Sewerage Tax
- Television Cable
- Commute
It is the same obvious reasons why for example the Lyari Expressway allottees are selling their houses and moving back to the slums where they pay no tax, no electricity, no water, and television cable is free aswell.
KB May 9th, 2007, 08:10 PM I agree. Besides, they hope to get another compensation for moving again when the actual project( not this particular but in general sense) will finally get started.
transistorized May 9th, 2007, 09:13 PM I'm afraid thats not the case, the houses may look good to the everyone here but the poor/lower class would never go into these homes because of these obvious reasons;
- Property Tax
- Electricity Bill
- Water Bill
- Water & Sewerage Tax
- Television Cable
- Commute
It is the same obvious reasons why for example the Lyari Expressway allottees are selling their houses and moving back to the slums where they pay no tax, no electricity, no water, and television cable is free aswell.
Well, I completely disagree. Most of the Pakistan (outside of slums and kachi abadies) already pay all of their bills. And they also have to pay Rent instead of Property taxes.
I dont think their is any reason why they wont want to move out of a crappy apartment building into a well planned community.
SSC May 10th, 2007, 02:37 AM Well, I completely disagree. Most of the Pakistan (outside of slums and kachi abadies) already pay all of their bills. And they also have to pay Rent instead of Property taxes.
I dont think their is any reason why they wont want to move out of a crappy apartment building into a well planned community.
same reason why they dont go for american cars when they have crappy mehrans and toyotas--they have gotten used to them
FK May 10th, 2007, 02:42 AM Well, I completely disagree. Most of the Pakistan (outside of slums and kachi abadies) already pay all of their bills. And they also have to pay Rent instead of Property taxes.
I dont think their is any reason why they wont want to move out of a crappy apartment building into a well planned community.
Well it would be nice to see whether these houses are being built for the slums and Katchi abadis or the lower class. Right now it seems like we are confusing the lower class to the middle class, because as far as I think the lower class do not own houses or apartments.
:?
KB May 10th, 2007, 03:29 AM Let them build the damn thing first.
But as i said, i agree with fahad because i have seen people from katchi abadi who were given alternate areas, shift right back and making another claim by the time the project is built. Same with some afghan refugees.
:ohno:
transistorized May 11th, 2007, 07:52 AM Well it would be nice to see whether these houses are being built for the slums and Katchi abadis or the lower class. Right now it seems like we are confusing the lower class to the middle class, because as far as I think the lower class do not own houses or apartments.
:?
I doubt people living in slums can fork out 300k. Its probably for lower-middle - govt employees, very small business owners etc who currently are living in rented small houses.
FK May 19th, 2007, 07:01 AM Sorry for being a bum but is this in Lahore or some other city?
I was checking out the previous pages, most of the discussion is regarding if Malik Riaz is a billionare or not, I might not even rename this one.
vazim May 19th, 2007, 02:03 PM ^^ its in Rawalpindi.
safe_blood May 22nd, 2007, 07:25 PM its in both citys i think, it has lahore/pindi on its wesbsite
pakboy December 24th, 2007, 02:01 AM http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/awami/newpicgallery/images/new5.JPG
http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/awami/Press_Adv/images/14_Oct_07.jpg
FK December 24th, 2007, 02:37 AM Doesnt look like those houses have too many windows.
FK December 24th, 2007, 02:39 AM That Bahria logo looks like, I just noticed that, maybe they should construct a new project based on it.
Those urdu letters would make some nice and crazy roads/streets.
pakboy December 24th, 2007, 04:54 AM they allready have a park in lahore made like their logo
FK December 24th, 2007, 05:04 AM Really? Pictures? I mean satellite?
siamu maharaj December 24th, 2007, 08:59 AM They look like barracks (spelling?).
Abid Siddiqui December 24th, 2007, 12:57 PM What is the market value of these villas???
Dallas1 December 24th, 2007, 04:36 PM wowww now we have trailer parks in Pakistan as well, I am sure this will bring revolution in our construction industry, hope BT starts this project in Bloachstan and Sind as well
FK December 24th, 2007, 05:27 PM They look like barracks (spelling?).
:yes:
barracks
1. a building or group of buildings for lodging soldiers, esp. in garrison.
2. any large, plain building in which many people are lodged.
pakboy December 24th, 2007, 08:04 PM What is the market value of these villas???
5 laks per house
sanaji78601 December 24th, 2007, 09:56 PM 500k per house?? Do they provide all the utilities like GAS, Electricity, Telephone??
pakboy December 24th, 2007, 11:02 PM yes anf free education for your kids in good standard school
Kleemann September 9th, 2009, 11:08 AM Awami Villas Lahore balloting is complete, any one has any further insight in this project.
Kleemann May 25th, 2010, 08:54 AM I have just found out that they have again changed the location for Awami Villas Lahore to Bahria Orchids.
Can anyone confirm this?
waqas03 May 26th, 2010, 08:17 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqOJY5w8UkM&feature=related
i have personally visited the project sites...its beautifuul...i have seen people living in there...the area is awesoem.
GoBaby May 26th, 2010, 09:35 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqOJY5w8UkM&feature=related
i have personally visited the project sites...its beautifuul...i have seen people living in there...the area is awesoem.
Wow...If it weren't for those black & white concrete blocks....the video will look as if its of an american housing scheme - an old one though.
oogabooga May 26th, 2010, 03:01 PM hqOJY5w8UkM&feature=related
fortis321 June 3rd, 2010, 12:38 PM What is the market value of these villas???
I think about 15 Lacks
here is the link http://www.zameen.com/Property/rawalpindi_bahria_town_rawalpindi_awami_villa_for_sale-133551-632-1.html
brightside. June 4th, 2010, 11:30 PM Looks pretty nice. The government should start demolishing all slums in all major cities and constructing housing like this for the poor.
James-Bond June 5th, 2010, 12:37 AM How much would the average cost be for these Homes?
sourierservice June 5th, 2010, 01:02 AM not more than 4 lakhs
villawalla July 12th, 2010, 03:23 PM Bahria town is fooling poor people, they are eating interest at 15% per year on you 5 Lacs and also earning from Villa Files getting transferred from one name to another name while there is nothing on ground, Construction have not even started :cheers: and look at those villas.. so tiny, who wants to take there family in those servant quarters??? :banana:
FK July 12th, 2010, 03:42 PM ^^ This is not a real estate forum to address your grievances, please don't start new threads regarding this.
nadeem riaz December 11th, 2010, 05:31 PM i am asking u can u know when about ballouting of awami villas lahore it is expecting to after Eid
James-Bond December 13th, 2010, 11:29 PM Awami Villas, A home for every Pakistani...
Except the one under poverty line, been hit by the flood or earthquake, and been forced to become refugees in their own country due to terrorism..
But other than these 10-30 million, a home for every Pakistani!
Sometimes I wonder how stupid these slogans are.....
Kleemann December 19th, 2010, 10:05 AM i am asking u can u know when about ballouting of awami villas lahore it is expecting to after Eid
Balloting was complete last year, though allotment papers are still to be handed out :(
On one hand Malik Riaz boosts about donating US$2B for the flood relief and on the other hand he has been sitting on poor people's hard earned money for over 3 years..what a hypocrite!!!!!
nadeem riaz January 2nd, 2011, 09:19 PM thnx for ur kind guidance i bought in abahria town awami villas (Lahore) more than two years ago now infact i want to know when even they will start the construction work propperly and when they will hand over the keys plz guide as per latest:wallbash:
Kleemann January 4th, 2011, 05:50 PM thnx for ur kind guidance i bought in abahria town awami villas (Lahore) more than two years ago now infact i want to know when even they will start the construction work propperly and when they will hand over the keys plz guide as per latest:wallbash:
as per awami villas helpline, work is in progress and that they will probably announce the handover date after two months.
nadeem riaz January 5th, 2011, 09:19 PM so nice of u making me update and happy i am in kuwait that's why i can't contact them directly but i am thankfull to you and hope it will come true soon Insha Allah please make me up date about any type of further news in this regard on my personel ID'S if u dont mind its a request only.
nadeem.mirpur@yahoo.com
riazn@aafes.com
take care
Fee Aman Allah
villawalla January 6th, 2011, 02:39 PM Bahria Town's Business Plan behind Awami Villas:
I bought an Awami Villa Premier in 2009 in 6 Lac rupees from market. It was not balloted at that time. but in January 2010 it came in balloting. Bahria town said You will get villa in 18 Months. I waited till last month and then I went to Bahria town to see construction progress.. but construction was not even started and a person at bahria's customer desk said it will take 3 more years atleast. Whereas bahria's helpline people don't know any thing. Anyway I sold it out on 6 Lacs and 60 thousand rupees. BECAUSE if I keep same amount of money in a Saving scheme I get annual 15% profit. So keeping my 6 lacs blocked in a villa costs 90 thousand rupees a Year. In other words if Bahria Town is making you wait 5 years then it means the cost of Villa is becomes 11 Lacs but they say you get it in 5 Lacs, which is not true. So thats the trick Bahria town is playing here.
Secondly, It is simply not worth waiting that long for this tiny villa where you can't even live with your family. It can only be used as a servant quarter if you already have a Banglow in bahria town.
pakboy January 7th, 2011, 03:45 AM Bahria Town's Business Plan behind Awami Villas:
I bought an Awami Villa Premier in 2009 in 6 Lac rupees from market. It was not balloted at that time. but in January 2010 it came in balloting. Bahria town said You will get villa in 18 Months. I waited till last month and then I went to Bahria town to see construction progress.. but construction was not even started and a person at bahria's customer desk said it will take 3 more years atleast. Whereas bahria's helpline people don't know any thing. Anyway I sold it out on 6 Lacs and 60 thousand rupees. BECAUSE if I keep same amount of money in a Saving scheme I get annual 15% profit. So keeping my 6 lacs blocked in a villa costs 90 thousand rupees a Year. In other words if Bahria Town is making you wait 5 years then it means the cost of Villa is becomes 11 Lacs but they say you get it in 5 Lacs, which is not true. So thats the trick Bahria town is playing here.
Secondly, It is simply not worth waiting that long for this tiny villa where you can't even live with your family. It can only be used as a servant quarter if you already have a Banglow in bahria town.
refer to previous page, theres a video there, construction should be completed.
Kleemann January 7th, 2011, 09:20 PM refer to previous page, theres a video there, construction should be completed.
that vid is for rawalpindi awami villas bro :ohno:
pakboy January 9th, 2011, 12:09 PM that vid is for rawalpindi awami villas bro :ohno:
wow your a genius
villawalla January 11th, 2011, 02:23 PM The video on the previous page is of Awami Villas "1". They are only around 170 Villas. Bahria town has sold out Literally Thousands of files for these villas and out of those only 170 have got villas in last 5 years. Awami Villas "2" is in progress and "3" is not even started and "4" is also being planned.
So basically eventually all will get their villas but with so much delay that there money will be used in other projects and profit will be taken on that money through those investments... The point here is that Bahria claims its giving house in 5 Lacs but actually its not like you give money and get the house.. You just give money to Bahria and when bahria makes profit on that money then they give you that tiny villa...
anidel January 11th, 2011, 06:24 PM The video on the previous page is of Awami Villas "1". They are only around 170 Villas. Bahria town has sold out Literally Thousands of files for these villas and out of those only 170 have got villas in last 5 years. Awami Villas "2" is in progress and "3" is not even started and "4" is also being planned.
So basically eventually all will get their villas but with so much delay that there money will be used in other projects and profit will be taken on that money through those investments... The point here is that Bahria claims its giving house in 5 Lacs but actually its not like you give money and get the house.. You just give money to Bahria and when bahria makes profit on that money then they give you that tiny villa...
Is that for real??? I mean one can own a villa at just Rs. 5 lacs (that too in Pakistani currency)
Ahmad Rashid Ahmad January 11th, 2011, 06:30 PM Is that for real??? I mean one can own a villa at just Rs. 5 lacs (that too in Pakistani currency)
^^It has only 2 bedrooms....
These 5000 houses are for low income class people...
nadeem riaz January 12th, 2011, 07:25 PM anybody have info i heard they are once againd chainging the location of awami villas from bahria orchard to bahria nashaimun
is that true becoz they already change before and now its going too late already.
Kleemann March 26th, 2011, 12:55 PM Just came back from Bahria Orchids on Raiwind Road, also saw the new site for Awami Villas, its inside Bahria Orchids near the Golf Course.
I was glad to see that they have already started building the houses, and a model house is ready.
Initially they planned to have prefab houses, but now they seem to have changed the plan and are building brick houses instead. The house layout has also changed.
As per Bahria Town Customer Service Staff, they plan to allot 200 house by the end of this year, while remaining would be handed out by the end of next year.
Let hope this happens.
Overall, i really like the location.
You can contact Bahria Town Awami Villas Customer Service Desk @ 042.3533.0574-9, Extension 116. Talk to Zohaib, he is the dude I spoke to.
Kleemann March 26th, 2011, 01:05 PM so nice of u making me update and happy i am in kuwait that's why i can't contact them directly but i am thankfull to you and hope it will come true soon Insha Allah please make me up date about any type of further news in this regard on my personel ID'S if u dont mind its a request only.
nadeem.mirpur@yahoo.com
riazn@aafes.com
take care
Fee Aman Allah
what is your villa number?
villawalla April 14th, 2011, 11:18 AM I bought villa file 2 years back in 6 lacs.. It was not constructed and not ballotted. Then my name came in balloting and they said u will get villa in 18 months. But after 14 months passed the construction didnt even start. then i got worried and went to bahria office and they said it will take another 2 to 3 years to complete.
Basically bahria town keeps ur money and invests in other projects and when they earn on YOUR money then they give you villa.. Bahria schemes are not fraud but they are tricky. If they are giving you villa in 6 lacs and keeping your money for 10 years so you can imagine how much interest you can get on your 6 lacs in 10 years at 14% per annum rate. So it looks villa cost is 6 lacs but actually its 15 lacs if you consider the interest rate and also the delay and keeping your money blocked is quite irritating.
I would suggest you to not go into these schemes. Buy a ready to live house if you can afford otherwise live on rent.
I sold my villa file (ballotted) in 6 lac 60 thousand rupees after 2 years of wait. apparently i earned 60 thousand on it but actually if i had kept that money in a saving scheme i would have made more than double profit.
Secondly the villas are small and not too secure. You cant live with your family there for a long time. They can just be used as servant quarters if you have a bungalow in bahria town.
Thirdly.. They show you the constucted villas which are at a better location. The new villas are constructed far away from that. so they wont give you what they are showing you. The Awami Villas 1 is just a showpiece item to attract buyers. The actual product is different and at a different location.
I am not totally against it.. but you should know the facts before you invest..
1. They are not in 5 lacs as they say.
2. They wont be constructed very soon as they say.
3. Your villa wont be where model villa is..
so think twice before you invest here...
cheers...
Kleemann April 17th, 2011, 02:07 PM ^^ i hear u bro, but in lahore they seem to be building the houses as we speak in bahria orchards.
pakboy April 18th, 2011, 04:54 AM this happens all over the world by real estate developers, key is to never buy off plan property (plots, houses etc. not constructed yet) or files and only buy plots or houses in which you get possession straight away.
Kleemann April 19th, 2011, 12:23 PM ^^ in this case a middle income guy will never be able to buy a house
Kleemann July 25th, 2011, 10:42 PM 250 Villas to be ready for possession by the end of the year.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6070/awamivillaslahore.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/awamivillaslahore.png/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
villawalla July 26th, 2011, 01:49 PM if they are saying end of this year i.e 5 months more then it means it will take 5 more years.. they're dead slow...
villawalla October 9th, 2011, 11:00 AM Hahaha... Bahria town is now saying (after 6 years of selling the Awami Villa files) that they will make flats instead of villas and you will have to pay another 1.5 lac rupees... Literally NOTHING on ground.. just a piece of paper in our hands for last 6 years and they keep doing balloting and stuff and keep congratulating us that we will get this and that..
Its simply a trick by Bahria town.. they have invested our money in other schemes and after earning lots of profit on it they will give us a small flat...
Kleemann October 9th, 2011, 10:27 PM Hahaha... Bahria town is now saying (after 6 years of selling the Awami Villa files) that they will make flats instead of villas and you will have to pay another 1.5 lac rupees... Literally NOTHING on ground.. just a piece of paper in our hands for last 6 years and they keep doing balloting and stuff and keep congratulating us that we will get this and that..
Its simply a trick by Bahria town.. they have invested our money in other schemes and after earning lots of profit on it they will give us a small flat...
please share source of this information.
villawalla October 18th, 2011, 11:32 AM 0800-00100
villawalla October 18th, 2011, 11:42 AM Check interest rates per annum of Pakistan.. If we keep 6 lacs in fixed deposit for 6 years then this money becomes 13 Lacs. Even if we get these flats today it will cost us 14.5 lacs because they have asked for another 1.5 lacs... but still nothing is on the ground...
Its a complete fraud... never invest in files because these are fraud schemes... always see the house when its ready then buy it.. other wise invest your money in Govt fixed deposit schemes. they give great profit.. and they are safe... I dont care if its Sood or not.. its business.. and its paper economy where value of money depreciates with time... its not gold coin economy like it was in old days when money value remained still.. so taking profit of it is totally halal.. because after 1 year there is 10% devaluation of money so if we take sood .. then its just fine..
waqas03 October 18th, 2011, 01:54 PM Check interest rates per annum of Pakistan.. If we keep 6 lacs in fixed deposit for 6 years then this money becomes 13 Lacs. Even if we get these flats today it will cost us 14.5 lacs because they have asked for another 1.5 lacs... but still nothing is on the ground...
Its a complete fraud... never invest in files because these are fraud schemes... always see the house when its ready then buy it.. other wise invest your money in Govt fixed deposit schemes. they give great profit.. and they are safe... I dont care if its Sood or not.. its business.. and its paper economy where value of money depreciates with time... its not gold coin economy like it was in old days when money value remained still.. so taking profit of it is totally halal.. because after 1 year there is 10% devaluation of money so if we take sood .. then its just fine..
its not that simple.
the Christians in post roman empire (Europe) stood against jews because jews were the masters of banks and interest. till the 16th century, the church motivated people not take interest. at that time paper money was already there.
and there are two kinds of interests when you talk about islam. giving , e.g car owning by banks which is allowed under certain conditions of necessity. second one is receiving the interest which is precisely termed as "war with God almighty"....
certain things are of strategic importance. by taking interest on national level, we are acknowledging the system approved by the satan and thats what iqbal said so. its just fine that you may take the interest based on your own understanding , but please try to avoid broadcasting the perspective which might not be true. if you motivate one more guy with interest then its quite possible that on the day of judgment you will be charged for taking interest plus motivating another for the same.
yes in old days it was gold. but there were less corporate avenues. now we can invest in almost any thing and the any retail store will give you more then 11 %. thats the law of the retail :),
good day ahead.
siamu maharaj October 18th, 2011, 06:50 PM its not that simple.
the Christians in post roman empire (Europe) stood against jews because jews were the masters of banks and interest. till the 16th century, the church motivated people not take interest. at that time paper money was already there.
and there are two kinds of interests when you talk about islam. giving , e.g car owning by banks which is allowed under certain conditions of necessity. second one is receiving the interest which is precisely termed as "war with God almighty"....
certain things are of strategic importance. by taking interest on national level, we are acknowledging the system approved by the satan and thats what iqbal said so. its just fine that you may take the interest based on your own understanding , but please try to avoid broadcasting the perspective which might not be true. if you motivate one more guy with interest then its quite possible that on the day of judgment you will be charged for taking interest plus motivating another for the same.
yes in old days it was gold. but there were less corporate avenues. now we can invest in almost any thing and the any retail store will give you more then 11 %. thats the law of the retail :),
good day ahead.
Just in case you didn't know, this isn't mullahonline.com
waqas03 October 18th, 2011, 06:54 PM roger and agreed :) ^^
konichiwa October 18th, 2011, 10:43 PM Check interest rates per annum of Pakistan.. If we keep 6 lacs in fixed deposit for 6 years then this money becomes 13 Lacs. Even if we get these flats today it will cost us 14.5 lacs because they have asked for another 1.5 lacs... but still nothing is on the ground...
Its a complete fraud... never invest in files because these are fraud schemes... always see the house when its ready then buy it.. other wise invest your money in Govt fixed deposit schemes. they give great profit.. and they are safe... I dont care if its Sood or not.. its business.. and its paper economy where value of money depreciates with time... its not gold coin economy like it was in old days when money value remained still.. so taking profit of it is totally halal.. because after 1 year there is 10% devaluation of money so if we take sood .. then its just fine..
I agree having learnt the hard way that it is better to put the money in a term deposit if you have insufficient funds, but to only buy plots on the ground as opposed to files. Files are risky and there is no guarantee when you will get possession, in most cases developers always deliver well past the timeframe mentioned. Although files maybe cheaper in the long run it is false economy.
villawalla October 19th, 2011, 01:24 PM Firstly, In case of awami villas, Low income people are target of housing schemes. If I am telling them an alternate way to invest their savings in which they can earn better profit then I'm sure God will be happy with me. I my self sold my villa file after 2 years of wait and invested in same Govt scheme.
Secondly, It's true that taking too much loan can put you in trouble specially when interest rates are high. but a planned loan like taking a car from bank so that you can go to work and then pay back from your salary is beneficial in the long run.
And in case of investment we are taking sood, not giving it. Islam forbade people from sood because it was used as a tool to make people slaves, by giving them some money and charging so much interest that they never be able to pay back and serve you for a life time. Now times have changed. That's our problem that we don't understand the crux of Islam.. just follow it like sheep follow other sheep.
Not everyone can do business because everyone doesnt have the expertise and time, So investing your money with investment firms is just fine. secondly everyone doesnt have so much money that he can do business. like if I have 6 to 10 lacs what busness I can do? but I can take 15 thousand rupees of profit on it. regarding getting fix profit or variable.. not everyone can check financial statements of investors and can go into nitty gritty of how they did business with out money.. so getting a rounded lump-sump amount per month makes alot of sense.. its like charging a rent on our asset which in this case is our money... (just a little different from taking rent on a house which we bought against a certain amount of money..)
and as a general rule of business.. little investments can drown in to the money market but big investments almost always make profit. So a confirmed profit per month is halal. It's investors responsibility to plan it well. If people dont invest in such schemes then no one can make Huge malls and bridges and roads..
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