Prominent business tycoon Ali S Habib passes away

KARACHI: Prominent businessman and a scion of one of Pakistan’s oldest business families, Ali Suleman Habib, passed away in Karachi on Friday. He was 63.

The business tycoon, apart from being chairman of the Indus Motor Company, also headed operations for the House of Habib, a legacy business conglomerate that has several successful businesses functioning under its umbrella.

Habib served as director on the management boards of multiple companies operating under the umbrella of the House of Habib — including Thal Limited, Shabbir Tiles & Ceramics Limited, Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, and Metro Habib Cash and Carry Pakistan (Pvt) Limited.

He was also a member of the Board of Governors of Habib University, which the Habib family established. Habib was the founding chairman of the Young Presidents Organisation, Pakistan Chapter, and chairman of the Pakistan Business Council. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust.

He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Minnesota, USA and also attended the PMD Programme at Harvard. Speaking to Geo News, business magnate Arif Habib (no relation to Ali Habib) said his death was a big loss for the nation and the Pakistani business community.

“He was a fearless man who did not shy away from expressing his views in front of policymakers,” Arif Habib said. “He was a nationalist who used to tell people not to discuss personal issues or problems and instead talk about national issues.”

Several politicians and other members of the business community also condoled his demise.

Managing Director Soorty Enterprises, Shahid Soorty, expressed shock and grief over Ali Habib’s death. “It is truly one of the saddest days in our lives. [He was] one of the finest gentlemen once you knew him... It’s a huge loss in all respects,” he said.

TPL CEO Ali Jameel described Ali Habib as one of his closest friends and said Habib University had been his “greatest success”.

Ameena Saiyid of Oxford University Press said Ali Habib was “brilliant in his insights” and a “real gentleman”.