TOP 10 Business Groups of Pakistan

Business Galaxy of Pakistan

1.  Nishat Group

Nishat Group is no doubt Pakistan's Largest Industrial and Financial Conlomerate. Today, its Chairman Mian Muhammad Mansha is represented on the Board of 45 Companies and widely regarded as the Most Influential and Wealthiest Person of Pakistan.

Nishat Group Employs around 60,000 people in different companies, and thus the Largest Employer in the Private Sector. The Group has huge Stakes in Banking, Insurance, Textile, Power, Cement, Aviation, Hotels, Real Estate, and Dairy Farming. 

Renowned Companies Owned by the Nishat Group are,

- MCB Bank

- DG Khan Cement Company

- Adamjee Insurance.

- Nishat Mills Ltd.
- HUBCO
- PakGen Power.

- Lal Pir Power.
- Nishat power.
- Nishat Paper Products.
- Nishat Dairies.
- Nishat Hotels and Properties Limited.
- Nishat Emporium, Lahore (Shopping Mall & Five Star Hotel)
- St James's Hotel and Club in London (£ 60 million )
- Nishat Hyundai Motors Pvt Ltd

In 1991, the Privatization of government institutions during the first premiership of Mian Nawaz Sharif played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Nishat Group. During the privatization program, Mansha Group acquired the controlling stake in MCB Bank and DG Cement. The acquisition of MCB proved a watershed in the history of the Nishat Group. The privatization program proved fortunate and a blessing for the Mansha Group which ended up with 13 new companies in its fold. Mian Mansha’s close association with Mian Nawaz sharif benefited the group to acquire the country’s largest insurance company “Adamjee Insurance” in a hostile takeover.

Nishat Mills Limited, the Nishat Group's flagship, is Pakistan's largest and most modern vertically integrated textile mill. Nishat Mills remained Pakistan's second largest textile exporter in 2022, with $409 million in revenue.

The net worth of Mian Muhammad Mansha is around $5.60 Billion.

The Nishat Group has an Asset base of  $ 28 billion.

2. Hussain Dawood Group

An illustrious businessman, Hussain Dawood heads Pakistan's 2nd largest industrial conglomerate, Engro Corporation. 

Hussain Dawood Group owns six publicly traded companies with a combined market capitalization of Rs372 billion. Engro Corporation, Engro Fertilizers, Dawood Hercules, Engro Polymer and Chemicals, Engro Powergen Qadirpur, and Dawood Lawrencepur Ltd are the companies which dominate the PSX.

His investment firm, Dawood Hercules, owns significant stakes in Pakistan's major public and private companies. Dawood is well-known for establishing large industrial projects. Hussain Dawood is widely regarded as Pakistan's most accomplished entrepreneur and equity investor. The Dawood Hercules Group achieved significant milestones in both existing and new generation businesses under his dynamic leadership. The Dawood Group is a market leader in various industries which include power generation, fertilizers, petrochemicals, coal mining, and telecommunication infrastructure.

3. Yunus Brothers Group (YBG) / Lucky Cement

 YBG is Pakistan's imminent industrial conglomerate, with diverse interests in construction materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, textiles, automotive, and real estate development. Muhammad Yunus Tabba is the founder of the Yunus Brothers Group (YBG). Under Muhammad Ali Tabba's leadership, the group diversified into new businesses at lightning speed and consolidated its position as a premier conglomerate. Lucky Cement Ltd, the company's flagship, is Pakistan's largest cement manufacturer. Through the establishment of Kia-Lucky Motors and the acquisition of ICI Chemicals, the company expanded its reach into the automobile and chemical sectors, respectively. In addition, the group is working to establish a cement manufacturing plant in Iraq. The YBG is Pakistan's iconic business group, and it is widely regarded as a multinational corporation. 

The group's stellar reputation aided in the signing of a mobile assembly plant agreement with Samsung.Gadoon Textile Mills Limited (GTML), one of Pakistan's largest spinning units, is owned by the group. Lucky Textile and Yunus Textile are also part of the textile division of YBG. The group has made significant investments in Pakistan's power and renewable energy sectors.

Founded in 1993, Lucky Cement Limited stands as the flagship company of Yunus Brothers Group (YBG). Lucky Cement is the largest producer of Cement in Pakistan with a production capacity of 12.15 MTPA and remains one of the country’s leading exporters of quality cement.

Mr. Muhammad Ali Tabba received the Sitara-E-Imtiaz Award from the Government of Pakistan in 2018.

4. Chaudhary Munir & Family 

Chaudhary Munir is a politician and businessman from Rahim Yar Khan. He rises to the position of Pakistan's most powerful private contractor. His businesses include sugar mills, hotels, properties development, chemicals, automotive, aviation, telecom, and  two prestigious construction and procurement firms Technical Associates Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and Al-Jawahir Technical Pakistanian Contracting Company LLC, UAE. Etihad Sugar Mills Ltd, owned by Chaudhary Munir, is Pakistan's second largest sugar mill. Chaudhary Munir began his business career as a small-time wood vendor in Rahim Yar Khan. Early in his career, he obtained small contracts for the supply of goods to ruling Arab Sheikhs who visited Pakistan for bird hunting. He developed a trustworthy relationship with the UAE royal family and became their devoted business partner in Pakistan. His close relationship with Mian Nawaz Sharif helped him win a construction contract for Pakistan's largest airport, Islamabad International Airport, worth billions of rupees. In addition to owning two sugar mills, he has significant stakes in other sugar mills, including RYK sugar mills. Chaudhary Munir owns a significant stake in the Union of Developers of Mian Amir Mahmood and the Punjab Group of Colleges.

He expanded his real estate holdings by purchasing Pakistan's most iconic hotel, "Faletti's Hotel Lahore." With the assistance of Mian Nawaz Sharif, he purchased the Abu Dhabi Royal Palace in Lahore from the UAE's ruling sheikhs for Rs. 7 billion.

His close business and political ties with Mian Nawaz Sharif resulted in the marriage of his son Raheel Munir to Mariam Nawaz Sharif's daughter Mehrun Nisa. He owns prestigious homes in Rahim Yar Khan and Lahore, as well as a private jet. He is widely regarded as a kingmaker in the political and business circles of Southern Punjab.

Major companies of the group include:

Finance Division

- Etihad Holdings                                                                                   

Real Estate Companies

- Etihad Garden

- Etihad Town Phase 1

- Etihad Town Phase 2

Contracting/Construction Division

- Technical Associates Pakistan Limited

- Al-Jawahir Technical Pakistanian Contracting Company LLC, UAE.

Sugar & Power Generation Companies

- Etihad Sugar Mills

- RYK Sugar Mills

- Etihad Energy

- Etihad Power

Production

- Durock Paints

- Etihad Alloys

Automotive 

- Toyota Royal Motors RYK, Pakistan

Aviation

- Royal Airport Services

Security Services

- Security Consultants & Services

Telecom Sector

- Thoraya 

- Mobilink/Jazz

Hotel & Properties Division

- Faletti's Hotel Lahore.

- Abu Dhabi Palace, Lahore.

5. Habib Group

   

Founder of Habib Group

The habib group businesses benefit Pakistan's economy with a turnover of more than $ 1.8 billion, total net assets in excess of $ 1 billion, and a GDP contribution of approximately 1%. The group's national presence and business interests in key industries make it an important player in amplifying growth for 12,000 employees. The habib group is involved in the automotive, auto parts, building materials, energy, packaging, and real estate industries.

Habib Family has the distinction to establish a Habib Bank in 1941, the  First Muslim Bank of sub continent. The family is still Hallmark in Banking Industry. Most Business Analysts believe that Habib's own more 100 Companies around the world.

The Group is managed by a traditional Business Man Family.

Today this Group has been split into two Distinct Groups;

>> 1. Rafique Habib group  >> 2. Rashid Habib Group

Major companies owned by both the groups include,

• Bank Al Habib
• Habib Metro Bank
• Shabbir Tiles
• Indus Toyota Motors
• Habib Sugar Mills 
• Habib Insurance
• Habib Metro Cash and Carry
• Habib Rafique Pvt Ltd

Habib Group Holds more than 35 Companies in its fold worldwide.

6.  Bestway Group

The Bestway Group is a multifaceted, family-owned company with an annualised revenue of more than £4.2 billion.

The Group, which began as a chain of convenience stores, has developed into a diversified multinational company with interests in the wholesale, pharmacy, real estate, cement, and banking industries. The Group is Pakistan's largest foreign investor.

The Bestway Group was established in 1976 by Sir Anwar Pervez OBE HPk, who is still the Chairman and is owned by the Pervez, Choudrey, and Sheikh families. Through its operations in the UK, Pakistan, and the Middle East, the Group supports and serves communities while providing services to over 12 million customers and employing over 28,000 people.

7. Hashoo Group

   

Hashoo Group, founded by Vintage Businessman Sadruddin Hashwani.Today this Group is more known about its Dominance in Pakistan's Hotel Industry. The Group has Controlling Stake in Pakistan Services Ltd, which operates Peral Continental Hotels in Pakistan and also owns Marriot Hotels.

Besides Hotel Industry, other Investments are;

- Oil and Gas

* Ocean Pakistan Limited.
* Zaver Petroleum Corporation Limited
- Minerals
* Zaver Chemicals (Pvt) Limited
* Zaver Mining Company Limited
* Zaver Oils Limited
- Pharmaceuticals
* Gelcaps (Pakistan) Ltd.
- Ceramics
* Cera-e-Noor
- Investments
* Hashwani Sales & Services (Pvt) Limited
* Hashoo Holdings (Pvt) Limited
* Trading companies[edit source
* Hashoo International (Pvt) Limited
* Hasan Ali & Company (Pvt) Limited
* Genesis Trading (Pvt) Limited
Group has announced to open Three New Hotels in Pakistan and 2 in UAE.

8. Beaconhouse Group

The Beaconhouse School System is Pakistan's largest private school system. Ms. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri, the wife of former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, founded the Les Anges Montessori Academy for Toddlers in November 1975 in Lahore, Pakistan. It has now spread to numerous countries. The school system has an enrollment of over 315,000 students.

It also has subsidiaries in Belgium, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. In some countries, its activities go beyond education.

Major buisnesses of Beaconhouse Group include:

1. Beaconhouse School System

2. TNS Beaconhouse

3. Beaconhouse-Newlands

4. The Educators

5. Gymboree Play & Music

6. The Early Years (TEY)

7. Concordia Colleges

8. Discovery Centre Smart School

9. Leo’s Workshop

10. United Charter Schools

11. Premier DLC

12. Beaconhouse National University

13. Beaconhouse International College

14. Beaconhouse Technology

15. Beacon Energy Limited (BEL)

16. Beaconhouse Estate

17. Premier Trading Services (Pvt) Ltd

Beaconhouse has also contributed to or managed the following educational programms in Pakistan:

 - The Educators is a distinct private school network.

 - TNS Beaconhouse is Pakistan's first school to adopt the Reggio Emilia approach.

 - Beaconhouse is the Pakistani franchisee for Gymboree Play and Music, an      

   international franchise of play centres.

 - A child development centre in Lahore, Pakistan, called The Early Years.

 - Bubbles, a Beaconhouse playgroup programme, is available at select schools.

 - Karachi, Pakistan's Discovery Center Smart School

 - Beaconhouse National University is a private liberal arts university in Lahore that 

   was founded with a US$6 million donation from Beaconhouse.

 - Concordia Colleges is a network of college campuses located throughout 

   Pakistan.

9. Lakson Group

The Lakson Group is a leading business conglomerate in Pakistan. The Lakson Group ("Lakson") was founded in 1954 and is one of Pakistan's largest business conglomerates. The group is actively involved in businesses which include agriculture, call centres, consumer non-durables, fast food, financial services, media, paper and board, printing and packaging, surgical instruments, technology (data networking, BPO, and software), and travel.
Lakson Group's assets exceed USD 1 billion, with 15+ companies in Pakistan and a large footprint; the Group operates in more than 50 cities in Pakistan and has an international presence in the UAE and the United States through its subsidiaries, employing approximately 17,000 people directly.

Major Companies of the Lakson Group include:

- McDonalds
- Lakson Investments
- Century Insurance
- Century Paper  
- Cybernet, Sybrid, 
- Princeton Travels
- Accuracy (Surgical Instruments)
- Tritex Cotton Mills
- Daily Express & Express Tv.

10. Jang Group

The Jang Organization Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman established this vast media empire over six decades ago. Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman, Mir Khalil's brilliant son, now runs around ten top newspapers and the multi-billion rupee GEO TV project, in addition to some real estate projects. Despite his modesty, Shakeel is known to have confronted the country's Prime Ministers. His fight with Nawaz Sharif in 1999 demonstrated his unparalleled power in all domestic and international arenas that mattered. Shakeel is one of Asia's most well-known media magnates, and his newspapers have served as breeding grounds for the country's top journalists.

Mir Ibrahim, his tender son, also assists him in business. His influence has been so powerful that a few governments have appointed some of his employees as ministers. Most politicians agree that the Group has been instrumental in both toppling and building governments in Pakistan for decades. He sells the limelight but does not enjoy tasting the fruits of his own garden. Mir Shaekeel ur Rehman has remained a close confidant of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and assisted him to build and propagate his political narrative through Jang Newspaper and Geo Media Network. On March 12, 2020, he was arrested by the NAB on suspicion of receiving 52 Kanals of land in Lahore worth billions of rupees from then-Punjab Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif.