by: Muhammad Tariq Haq
This is the typical story of many successful businesses in Pakistan, including the journeys of the Mians, Manshas, Dawoods, Tabanis, Lakhanis, Bilwanis, Agha Khanis, Bohris, Tabba’s, House of Habibs and leaders in textiles and denim! Almost all of them started humble. Through patience, hard work, integrity, humility, prayers and commitment to communities, they turned their dreams into reality. They believed in Pakistan as a land of opportunity, standing strong through challenges and celebrating small wins, proving that they could achieve greatness without leaving the country and succumbing to brain drain!
In the lively heart of Karachi, a small shop opened in 1980. Owned by Mian Sahib’s father, this modest venture was filled with dreams and hard work. Little did anyone know that it would grow into a successful empire built on humility and vision.
As time went on, Mian Sahib’s sons joined the family business, each bringing their own strengths. By 1989, they turned the shop into a thriving factory, beginning to export products and starting a new chapter. Their teamwork and shared goals pushed the business forward, and they eventually bought out their father’s shares, allowing him to enjoy life with his wife.
Under the brothers’ leadership, the business grew into a large group known for its quality and integrity. Despite their success, they stayed humble, understanding that true achievement is about the positive impact they have on their community, not just about wealth.
When discussing Pakistan’s economy, the brothers showed strong confidence in their country. “We built our fortune here, and there’s still so much work to do”. They announced plans for a new factory in Lahore, set to create thousands of jobs, while also expanding their Karachi operations.
The Mian family was known for their discipline and punctuality, arriving at work by 9 AM and leaving at 5 PM. But when needed, they worked from 5 in the morning until 9 at night. Their commitment to routine showed their values of respect and integrity, creating a positive environment where employees felt valued and motivated.
Amidst economic challenges, the Mian Sahibs stayed optimistic. They believed that success without humility would perish. Their story reminds us that true success is about nurturing values without pomp and pageantry.
Just yesterday, I spoke with my twin brother, who recently retired as a top oncologist in Canada. He mentioned that his classmates from Dow College who stayed in Pakistan after graduation in the early ’80s are doing better than those who moved to North America. He also noted that Muslims from Pakistan have thrived more than those who stayed in India after partition. He further commented that despite a population ratio of more than 1:5 between Pakistan and India, doctors from Pakistan are one against three from India. Despite, Muslims being in a ratio of 1:5 in India, Muslim doctors are very sadly not more than 2% of all Indian doctors in the first world! This shows that Pakistan is indeed a land of opportunity, though we overlook it.
Let’s take inspiration from the business successes in Pakistan. With humility, patience and prayers, we can create a brighter future HERE. Long live PAKISTAN!
