Prominent businessman and Indus Motor Company Chairman Ali Suleman Habib passed away at the age of 63, in Karachi on Friday.
He headed the operations of the House of Habib, a business conglomerate that has several successful businesses functioning under its umbrella.
Apart from heading one of the country's leading automobile companies, Ali Habib had also served as a Director on the management boards of Thal Limited, Shabbir Tiles & Ceramics Limited, Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, Metro Habib Cash and Carry Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Habib University as well.
He 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 Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust.
He was a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, USA and also attended the Management Development Programme (MDP) at Harvard University.
Speaking to Geo News, business magnate Arif Habib said that 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," said Arif. "He was a nationalist who used to tell people not to discuss personal issues or problems but talk about national issues."
Arif said that Habib would be missed a lot as his contribution to business in Pakistan was immense. He said that Habib had led Indus Motors from the front and was a huge factor in its success.
Mr. Ali Habib was a graduate from the University of Minnesota (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering). He had also attended the PMD Program at Harvard University. He was the Founding Chairman of the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers' Association (PAMA) established in 1995 and the Founding Chairman Young Presidents Organization Pakistan Chapter. Ali is on the Board of the Pakistan Business Council and until recently was it's Chairperson.
Ali Habib headed actively the operations of The House of Habib (HOH) companies (www.hoh.net) - a conglomerate of companies employing over 10,000 people who provide an array of products and services. Activities range from automobiles to auto parts, ceramic tiles to packaging materials and chemicals. The Group has four publicly listed companies. He was also the Chairman of Indus Motor Company Ltd., since it's inception in 1989, a joint venture with Toyota Motor Co. & Toyota Tsusho Corp. with the House of Habib to manufacture & distribute Toyota vehicles in Pakistan.
Ali devoted his time and attention to social welfare, education and benevolent activities and is a Trustee on the Boards of Habib University Foundation, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Habib Education Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme. He was also actively involved in the setting up of the Habib University.