Yusuf H. Shirazi

Yusuf H. Shirazi (1929–2020) was a Pakistani industrialist, civil servant, and writer. He founded Atlas Group.[1]

Yusuf H. Shirazi Complex at the Lahore University of Management Sciences is named after him.[2]

Early life and education

Shirazi was born in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan. He received his early education from the Government College Sahiwal.[3] For further studies, he moved to Lahore and attended Forman Christian College, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He later obtained postgraduate degrees in Persian and mathematics from the University of the Punjab.[3]

Career

Shirazi began his career in journalism, working for publications such as the Pakistan Times and Nawaiwaqt while studying law at Punjab University.[3] In 1953, he cleared CSS exam and became an income tax officer, initially posted in Shikarpur before relocating to Karachi.[3]

In 1962, Shirazi was assigned to compile a report on the leading business groups of Pakistan.[3] He conducted interviews and, in the process, built relationships with leading business families of Pakistan.[3] Later, he was asked to serve as an executive director at Mian Muhammad Yahya's Nishat Group and was a board member of Ghandhara Industries Limited, positions he held into the 1980s.[3]

In 1963, Shirazi left civil service to start a business. He co-founded a brokerage firm with his brother based in Karachi Stock Exchange, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the Atlas Group, named after the Greek mythological figure Atlas.[3] Later, he co-founded Atlas Honda along with Syed Wajid Ali family in a joint venture with Honda.[3]

In 1968, Shirazi was elected as president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, serving two consecutive terms.[3]

Following the independence of East Pakistan, the Atlas Group continued to service their loans despite losses, including the loss of their Dhaka motorcycles factory.[3] Later, he established Atlas Asset Management, acquired Atlas Insurance, and expanded into the trading sector in collaboration with General Electric.[3]

Awards and recognition

Bibliography

  • Safeguarding Sovereignty (2013)[5]
  • Aid or Trade (2015)[6]

References

  1. ^ Ayaz, Babar. "Yusuf Shirazi may never be equalled". The News International.
  2. ^ Report, Recorder (September 29, 2023). "'Yusuf H Shirazi Complex to herald new era of research & learning'". Brecorder.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Niazi, Abdullah (November 4, 2019). "Yusuf H Shirazi: A titan rests at last". Profit by Pakistan Today.
  4. ^ "Abida Parveen, Aleem Dar among winners Posthumous awards for Manto, Mehdi Hassan". DAWN.COM. August 14, 2012.
  5. ^ https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Sep-2013/getting-the-national-sovereignty
  6. ^ "Book review: Aid or trade by Yusuf H Shirazi". The Nation. March 17, 2015.