hawaja Anver Majid, the founder and chairman of a group of companies, has long stood at the intersection of business excellence and public scrutiny. He has recently been honoured with the prestigious Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award. The recognition has provided a powerful counter-narrative to the baseless allegations and politically motivated cases once levelled against him.

The Federal Investigation Agency lodged several cases against Khawaja Anver Majid during the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan. The cases were widely publicised in the media, branding Majid and his group as central players in alleged financial misdeeds. Yet, as time passed, it became evident that these accusations lacked substance. There was no conviction ever.

The FIA never even submitted a final challan - the formal charge sheet required to proceed with prosecution. Despite public pressure and a protracted media trial, the cases collapsed due to insufficient evidence. Eventually, they were quietly closed. The defence had always maintained that these were tools of politically motivated harassment.

The media coverage had fed into a perception of wrongdoing, yet ultimately, the absence of legal resolution revealed the political motives underpinning the allegations. There was thus a lengthy media trial without a court trial.

When Majid was nominated for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, some media people questioned the merit of the nominations. How could somebody accused recently in high-profile graft cases be considered for state honour? However, the criticism crumbled in the face of undeniable fact: no conviction, no challan.

Khawaja Anver Majid’s real story is one of economic transformation. From modest beginnings in Simla to becoming a central figure in Pakistan’s industrial revival, Majid’s career has spanned banking, international trade and industrial entrepreneurship.

He has now been awarded the prestigious Hilal-i-Imtiaz in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the national economy. This honour, awarded to distinguished individuals for excellence in their respective fields, is a testament to his transformative impact on the country’s industrial landscape and social development.

Born on June 18, 1942, in Simla, the summer capital of British India, Khawaja Anver Majid’s journey to success was built on a foundation of perseverance, vision and relentless dedication. He received his early education at Lawrence College, Ghora Gali. Later, he attended Aitchison College, Lahore. He then went on to graduate from Government College, Lahore, before embarking on a career in banking in 1962 with National & Grindlays Bank Ltd.

Majid’s financial acumen took him to the United Kingdom for advanced training. Upon his return to Pakistan in 1967, he assumed the role of a covenanted officer. His career in banking spanned over two decades, culminating in his appointment as general min charge of planning and development at Dubai Bank Ltd in 1984. Entrepreneurial aspirations soon led him to explore new frontiers in business.

Revolutionising the industrial sector

Khawaja Anver Majid’s foray into the automotive industry marked the beginning of an effort that would reshape Pakistan’s industrial sector. He collaborated with Ford New Holland to manufacture tractors. He also served as managing director of Haroon Oil Ltd, a joint venture with Gulf Oils. In 1999, he was appointed the first honorary consul general of Croatia in Pakistan. That same year, he founded a conglomerate of companies that would soon become a powerhouse of economic growth.

Majid’s leadership, vision and philanthropic spirit continue to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, proving that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.

The group has grown into a diversified industrial giant, spanning multiple sectors, including sugar, cement, ethanol, packaging, rice processing and power generation. Under Majid’s leadership, the group has played a pivotal role in reviving sick industrial units, bringing defunct factories back to life and creating thousands of jobs in the process. His ability to turn around struggling businesses and make them profitable has earned him a reputation as a pioneer in Pakistan’s industrial revival.

Majid’s groundbreaking efforts in the revival of sick units have had far-reaching effects on Pakistan’s economy. He personally led the restoration of several industrial units, including a rice processing facility, four sugar mills, a cement plant, an industrial gas production company and a tractor assembly plant. These projects directly created more than 4,000 jobs in rural Sindh. His association with sugar mills had a positive impact on around 50,000 households, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening local economies.

Beyond job creation, Majid’s initiatives have generated substantial revenue for both the federal and provincial governments, enhancing public services and infrastructure development. His commitment to economic sustainability continues to set new benchmarks in industrial growth and corporate responsibility.

Khawaja Anver Majid’s vision extends beyond business success. He has made significant contributions to social development, particularly in healthcare, education and environmental sustainability.

Recognising the healthcare challenges faced by rural communities, Anver Majid’s group has sponsored numerous free medical camps, hospitals and mobile health units. Special efforts have been made to reach flood-affected areas and provide essential medical aid to vulnerable populations. Plans are under way to expand these services to other remote cities in Sindh.

The group has arranged a series of free medical camps, a humanitarian initiative that has brought essential healthcare services to some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable and underserved communities. Personally overseen by Majid, these one-day camps have been organised across remote villages in Sindh, offering free consultation, diagnostic tests and medicines to people who would otherwise have no access to healthcare. In Tando Allahyar (October 26, 2024), a post-flood medical camp treated 951 patients. It had separate areas for women and for tuberculosis screening. At Naudero Sugar Mills (September 14, 2024), men, women and children were treated without any discrimination. The Ansari Sugar Mills camp (November 25, 2024) treated over 800 patients in a single day. The New Dadu Sugar Mills camp (December 16, 2024) handled 1,000 individuals. At Bawany Sugar Mills (January 14, 2025), the camp uncovered widespread skin disease in the local population, highlighting the importance of access to basic care. Most recently, the Khoski Medical Camp (February 13, 2025) offered hundreds of patients free testing and treatment.

Majid believes in empowering the future generation through education. His group funds schools and vocational training centres in underprivileged areas, equipping children and adults with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives.

Through strategic industrial projects, Majid has created thousands of jobs, significantly improving the economic conditions of rural communities. His dedication to social uplift has provided countless individuals with opportunities for a better future.

The group has integrated sustainable practices into its business operations, with Thatta Cement Company Limited implementing a Waste Heat Recovery system and utilising solar energy. Majid has also pioneered eco-friendly initiatives such as a tissue culture lab to enhance sugarcane yield and bio-fertiliser production from sugar mill by-products, reducing the environmental impact and water use in agriculture.

Humanitarian assistance

Khawaja Anver Majid led extensive relief efforts, providing food, shelter and medical aid to displaced families . In Naudero, Dadu, and Tando Allayar, Anver Majid’s group supported 6,000 families for eight months until they were fully rehabilitated. Additionally, the group has established wells and RO Plants in Thar, Badin, and Thatta, supplying clean drinking water to thousands of families in water-scarce regions.

Majid also sponsors scholarships and financial aid for deserving students, ensuring that the children of his group’s employees have access to quality education. His unwavering commitment to human welfare has left an indelible mark on countless lives.following the historic floods.

Today, the group is a leading industrial conglomerate in Pakistan, boasting assets exceeding Rs 100 billion and a workforce of over 12,000 employees. The group’s impact on Pakistan’s economy is unmistakable.

Majid’s leadership, vision and philanthropic spirit continue to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. His achievements are a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation and an unwavering commitment to national growth and human welfare.

The writer is a Lahore-based reporter at The News.