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MPC – Discussion Panel’s Profile

Brief Profiles – Members of the Discussion Panel

  1. Mr. Saifuddin N. Zoomkawala: Mr. Zoomkawala started his career in 1964 with EFU Insurance company as Trainee Executive Officer and has served with EFU since 46 years and is now Managing Director of EFU General Insurance Ltd., Chairman of EFU Life Assurance Ltd., and also Chairman of Allianz EFU Health Insurance Ltd., EFU Group under his able leadership is now the largest Insurance Group in Pakistan. Besides his professional insurance activities, he is also Director on the Board of Investment of Pakistan and serves on the Board of Governors of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and Research Centre and Burhani Hospital.
  2. Mr. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi: Mr. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi is the Chairman of the AKD Group; one of the largest business groups in Pakistan with diversified interests such as Stock Brokerage & Investment Banking; Asset Management; Oil & Gas Exploration; Private Equity & Venture Capital; Port Operations, Real Estate Development, etc. The AKD Group is one of the two business groups that have been awarded permission by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to establish Real Estate Management Trust (REIT) in Pakistan. Mr. Dhedhi is an active social worker and philanthropist who plays a dynamic role in the social betterment of the society by donating to educational ventures, healthcare projects and for the general uplift of the underprivileged. His philanthropic support includes providing financial aid to students aspiring for higher education in Pakistan and abroad and also to many disadvantaged families. He contributes his time to many not-for-profit institutions as Trustee and Member of Board of Directors like: The Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital; The Indus Hospital; World Memon Organization; the Resource Development Committee of the Aga Khan University Hospital; etc. Mr. Dhedhi was awarded the “Sitara-e-Esaar” by the President of Pakistan for his services during the devastating earthquake that hit the northern areas of Pakistan in October 2005. He has also been awarded honorary PhD (Honoris Cause) degrees by Biztek Institute of Higher Education and the Indus Institute of Higher Education.
  3. Mr. Tariq Rafi: Mr. Tariq Rafi is the Chief Executive of the Siddiqsons Tinplate Company, he is also serving his responsibilities as the Director on the Board of Muslim Commercial Bank, Central Depository of Pakistan Limited (CDC), Siddiqsons Denim Mills Limited & Canvas Company of Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. Mr. Tariq possesses Young Businessmen Leader Award from Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and Best Businessmen Award for the year 1999 from Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industries. He Joined Siddiqsons Tin Plate Limited Board since inception of the Company.
  4. Mr. Aftab F. Tapal: proceeded for higher education to the U.S.A. in 1972 and received his Baccalaureate degree from the University of Houston and an Associates degree from the University of Odessa. He joined the family business upon his return in 1977. Aftab had a different vision; he wanted to expand the business as an FMCG producer and thus became a symbol of true success and a household name in Pakistan in 1990. He has been at the fore-front of every single change that Tapal tea has seen. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards like the Excellence Award 2003, by 21st Century Business & Economics Club; Award of Excellence 2004, from Marketing Association of Pakistan; Corporate Excellence Award in 1999, from the Hamdard Institute of Management Science; 1st Consumer Choice Award 2004, by Consumer Association of Pakistan; Brands of the year Award 2006 – 2007 for best brand performance in the category of Tea; Brand Elections 2010 – In which the brand ‘Danedar’ was awarded rank 13th overall Pakistan. His bent towards philanthropy and giving to the needy is beyond the normal and takes shape in contributing heavily to the world of education and healthcare.
  5. Mr. Yusuf H. Shirazi: Yusuf H. Shirazi, C.E.O. of the Atlas Group did his D.J.A. (Journalism) followed by LLB from Punjab University and then AMP Harvard Business School, USA. As Chairman, Board of Directors, Atlas Group he has developed his group to engage in engineering, financial services, power generation and trading. His publications include Aid or Trade; (adjudged as the best book of the year by Writers Guild) Economic Perspectives; Economic Ills; Distortions in Economy; Pakistan ke Muashi Masail (Urdu); and over 500 papers on Business Government and International Economy – BGIE. His commitments to academic institutions are specifically with the Harvard Business School Club of Pakistan (Founder President); Harvard Club of Pakistan (Founder President); National Management Foundation, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS); Lahore (Founder Member, Governor); GIK Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (Founder Member, Governor); Al-Shifa Hospital (Founder Member) Pakistan Institute of Management (Governor); and F.C. College – Chartered University (Governor). He also holds honorary position in business and management at the; Harvard Business School Global Alumni Association, (Cambridge, USA); Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (President); Karachi Stock Exchange (Founding Member); Lahore Stock Exchange (Founding Member); International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Founder Member, Paris, France); Management Association of Pakistan (Founding Member); and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (Member Council of Senior Fellows).
  6. Mr. Khalil Nainitalwala: Mr. Khalil Nainitalwala is a renowned industrialist, businessman and philanthropist and chairs a conglomerate of factories out of which the well known units are “Touchme Cosmetics” (Dental & Cosmetics), Medicam Laboratories (Dental & Cosmetics), Woodwards Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. (Pharma & Childcare), Chas Mendoza (Pharmaceuticals), Max Lavander (Cosmetics & Toiletries), KN GoldStone Inc. (Construction & Hotel business), besides  others. Renowned as a philanthropist, he is a dedicated to social service and serves the community in various ways possible, among which the main areas are education (KN Academy – an ‘O’ Level institution following the Cambridge system of education) and support of various community schools of the Delhi Punjabi Sodagaran Community. He also strongly lends support in the healthcare segment through support of hospitals and clinics for the needy.
  7. Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi: Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi: Mansoor Raza Zaidi is the C.E.O. of MABZI International which was established in 1983 as the first company in Pakistan to step in the field of Water Purification. After completing his education from Calgary (Canada), he brought with him the idea to provide the people of Pakistan economical and easy access to clean and bacteria free water. It was a tough journey and took a lot of effort to convince the masses the importance of contamination free water and educate them regarding problems associated with its contamination. MABZI’s first domestic unit was sold in 1984 and it was a big success for Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi as now he could see his hard work and vision being recognized by the masses. The first ones to buy the idea of Water Purifier included doctors, pharma industry, hotels, etc. The journey had just begun. MABZI also holds the honour to be the first Pakistani PET Water bottle manufacturer and its cliental included hotels, clubs, hospitals, etc. It was in 1995 when Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi decided to focus just on the manufacturing of Water Treatment Units. MABZI now serves in all sectors of water treatment including Reverse Osmosis, swimming pools, boilers, deep bed filters, etc. and aims to provide the people of Pakistan with clean and safe drinking water because as Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi says, “Water is Life”.
  8. Mr. Saifuddin N. Zoomkawala: Mr. Zoomkawala started his career in 1964 with EFU Insurance company as Trainee Executive Officer and has served with EFU since 46 years and is now Managing Director of EFU General Insurance Ltd., Chairman of EFU Life Assurance Ltd., and also Chairman of Allianz EFU Health Insurance Ltd., EFU Group under his able leadership is now the largest Insurance Group in Pakistan. Besides his professional insurance activities, he is also Director on the Board of Investment of Pakistan and serves on the Board of Governors of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and Research Centre and Burhani Hospital.
  9. Mr. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi: Mr. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi is the Chairman of the AKD Group; one of the largest business groups in Pakistan with diversified interests such as Stock Brokerage & Investment Banking; Asset Management; Oil & Gas Exploration; Private Equity & Venture Capital; Port Operations, Real Estate Development, etc. The AKD Group is one of the two business groups that have been awarded permission by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to establish Real Estate Management Trust (REIT) in Pakistan. Mr. Dhedhi is an active social worker and philanthropist who plays a dynamic role in the social betterment of the society by donating to educational ventures, healthcare projects and for the general uplift of the underprivileged. His philanthropic support includes providing financial aid to students aspiring for higher education in Pakistan and abroad and also to many disadvantaged families. He contributes his time to many not-for-profit institutions as Trustee and Member of Board of Directors like: The Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital; The Indus Hospital; World Memon Organization; the Resource Development Committee of the Aga Khan University Hospital; etc. Mr. Dhedhi was awarded the “Sitara-e-Esaar” by the President of Pakistan for his services during the devastating earthquake that hit the northern areas of Pakistan in October 2005. He has also been awarded honorary PhD (Honoris Cause) degrees by Biztek Institute of Higher Education and the Indus Institute of Higher Education.
  10. Mr. Tariq Rafi: Mr. Tariq Rafi is the Chief Executive of the Siddiqsons Tinplate Company, he is also serving his responsibilities as the Director on the Board of Muslim Commercial Bank, Central Depository of Pakistan Limited (CDC), Siddiqsons Denim Mills Limited & Canvas Company of Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. Mr. Tariq possesses Young Businessmen Leader Award from Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and Best Businessmen Award for the year 1999 from Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industries. He Joined Siddiqsons Tin Plate Limited Board since inception of the Company. Mr. Aftab F. Tapal: proceeded for higher education to the U.S.A. in 1972 and received his Baccalaureate degree from the University of Houston and an Associates degree from the University of Odessa. He joined the family business upon his return in 1977. Aftab had a different vision; he wanted to expand the business as an FMCG producer and thus became a symbol of true success and a household name in Pakistan in 1990. He has been at the fore-front of every single change that Tapal tea has seen. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards like the Excellence Award 2003, by 21st Century Business & Economics Club; Award of Excellence 2004, from Marketing Association of Pakistan; Corporate Excellence Award in 1999, from the Hamdard Institute of Management Science; 1st Consumer Choice Award 2004, by Consumer Association of Pakistan; Brands of the year Award 2006 – 2007 for best brand performance in the category of Tea; Brand Elections 2010 – In which the brand ‘Danedar’ was awarded rank 13th overall Pakistan. His bent towards philanthropy and giving to the needy is beyond the normal and takes shape in contributing heavily to the world of education and healthcare.
  11. Mr. Yusuf H. Shirazi: Yusuf H. Shirazi, C.E.O. of the Atlas Group did his D.J.A. (Journalism) followed by LLB from Punjab University and then AMP Harvard Business School, USA. As Chairman, Board of Directors, Atlas Group he has developed his group to engage in engineering, financial services, power generation and trading. His publications include Aid or Trade; (adjudged as the best book of the year by Writers Guild) Economic Perspectives; Economic Ills; Distortions in Economy; Pakistan ke Muashi Masail (Urdu); and over 500 papers on Business Government and International Economy – BGIE. His commitments to academic institutions are specifically with the Harvard Business School Club of Pakistan (Founder President); Harvard Club of Pakistan (Founder President); National Management Foundation, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS); Lahore (Founder Member, Governor); GIK Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (Founder Member, Governor); Al-Shifa Hospital (Founder Member) Pakistan Institute of Management (Governor); and F.C. College – Chartered University (Governor). He also holds honorary position in business and management at the; Harvard Business School Global Alumni Association, (Cambridge, USA); Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (President); Karachi Stock Exchange (Founding Member); Lahore Stock Exchange (Founding Member); International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Founder Member, Paris, France); Management Association of Pakistan (Founding Member); and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (Member Council of Senior Fellows).
  12. Mr. Khalil Nainitalwala: Mr. Khalil Nainitalwala is a renowned industrialist, businessman and philanthropist and chairs a conglomerate of factories out of which the well known units are “Touchme Cosmetics” (Dental & Cosmetics), Medicam Laboratories (Dental & Cosmetics), Woodwards Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. (Pharma & Childcare), Chas Mendoza (Pharmaceuticals), Max Lavander (Cosmetics & Toiletries), KN GoldStone Inc. (Construction & Hotel business), besides  others. Renowned as a philanthropist, he is a dedicated to social service and serves the community in various ways possible, among which the main areas are education (KN Academy – an ‘O’ Level institution following the Cambridge system of education) and support of various community schools of the Delhi Punjabi Sodagaran Community. He also strongly lends support in the healthcare segment through support of hospitals and clinics for the needy.
  13. Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi: Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi: Mansoor Raza Zaidi is the C.E.O. of MABZI International which was established in 1983 as the first company in Pakistan to step in the field of Water Purification. After completing his education from Calgary (Canada), he brought with him the idea to provide the people of Pakistan economical and easy access to clean and bacteria free water. It was a tough journey and took a lot of effort to convince the masses the importance of contamination free water and educate them regarding problems associated with its contamination. MABZI’s first domestic unit was sold in 1984 and it was a big success for Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi as now he could see his hard work and vision being recognized by the masses. The first ones to buy the idea of Water Purifier included doctors, pharma industry, hotels, etc. The journey had just begun. MABZI also holds the honour to be the first Pakistani PET Water bottle manufacturer and its cliental included hotels, clubs, hospitals, etc. It was in 1995 when Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi decided to focus just on the manufacturing of Water Treatment Units. MABZI now serves in all sectors of water treatment including Reverse Osmosis, swimming pools, boilers, deep bed filters, etc. and aims to provide the people of Pakistan with clean and safe drinking water because as Mr. Mansoor Raza Zaidi says, “Water is Life”.