Mushtaq A. Memon

 

He was bom at Deplo (Sindh) on 23rd May, 1952. He received his M. A. in Sindhi from S.M. Arts College and LLB from S.M. Law College. He had been associated with the famous firm of advocates Khalid M. Ishaq since 1973. He was enrolled at High Court in 1976 and Supreme Court in 1988. He was elected as member of Pakistan Bar Council twice. He was elevated as Judge of Sindh High Court on 9th January, 1997 and confirmed as such on 9th January, 1998. He enjoys reputation of being a gentle, polite and sympathetic person.

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M.A. Sozar

 

This scholarly gentleman was the first Honorary General Secretary of All India Memon Educational Welfare Society and remained as such for many years. He played an active part in the establishment of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and had enjoyed full confidence of Sir Adamjee Haji Dawood. He had good command of Gujrati and English languages and was a good writer.

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Muhammad Ali Rangoonwala

 

Late Mr. Muhammad Ali Rangoonwala was a legendary person. Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. Mr. Rangoonwala was born to parents who had great aspirations about their son and they desired him to follow the footsteps of great people. It was in this context that as soon as their son was born, the father who was somebody who mattered and was in personal touch with some of the leading politicians in India then, sent a cable from Rangoon (Burma) to Moulana Muhammad Ali Jouhar requesting him to send his blessings and permit his son to be named Muhammad Ali to which Moulana Saheb immediately replied in affirmative. However, great as his upbringing was, Mr. Rangoonwala achieved greatness due to his own efforts which efforts he tried to make throughout his life and achieved pinnacles of glory, international fame due to his hard work, sincerity of purpose and by setting for himself certain ideals and goals.

Mr. Rangoonwala's father, Mr. V.M. Gany Rangoonwala and mother, Mrs. Zuleikhabai always looked forward and tried to imbibe in their young son ideas of charity, philanthropy, large heartedness and leadership. After migration to India from Burma, the family was deprived of their wealth and business and young Mr. Rangoonwala was never upset about his poverty and with pride told his friends that his mode of transport in Bombay was a bicycle. His father was amongst the first couple of Memons in Rangoon to own a motor-car and headed many welfare organisations in Rangoon and Calcutta. Muslim dispensary in Rangoon thrived to become a well-organized clinic in later years and Rangoonwala Foundation, London, continued to assist this dispensary with generous financial assistance. Mr. Rangoonwala always told his friends that his parents had taught him a lesson to the effect that whatever you donate by your own hands would be your money and what you do not donate personally would be somebody else's money. Following this noble advice, Mr. Rangoonwala developed generosity beyond words. He gave away large amounts of money to the trust in the name of Z.V.M. Gany Rangoonwala Trust in Karachi, in 1957 through which first community centre of its type Z.V.M. Gany Rangoonwala Community Centre and V.M. Gany Public School the like of which may be few and far between in Karachi were set up. Deserving and needy students are given preference without compromising with quality of education. Mr. Rangoonwala did not like the word charity. He always preferred to keep up the morale of poor students by personally subsidising their full fees from his private purse without letting students. know that 95% fees students paid came from his own purse. This attitude helped to create sense of dignity amongst the poor students and also helped both these institutions to be ranked amongst the best of their type in Karachi.

As narrated here-below, Mr. Rangoonwala brushed shoulders with princes, rulers of countries and many rich persons around the globe. Sometimes using a limousine as transport, he would walk many a time around the pavements of Karachi, Bombay and other towns in Indo-Pak sub-continent enquiring sympathetically from the fruit vendors, hawkers etc. as to how much their investment and profit was. He also invited quite a few of them if they desired some more money to increase profit. He would advance them small loans to expand their business. This was one of his favourite hobbies. His philosophy in life was rather than giving fish and loaf to a needy person, give fishing implement so that he can earn his living by fishing.

He started his international business in London. He donated munificently to various causes including those in Pakistan, India, Rangoon and U.- K. Trust in London was not smaller than the World Memon Foundation which he established with the active assistance of his friends in Karachi, Bombay and South Africa. The trust in London brought him close to leading philanthropists of Europe and to the Royal family of U.K. For a particular cause headed by the Queen, Mr. Rangoonwala was one of the few invites at the Buckingham Palace and the Queen desired Mr. Rangoonwala to be one of the trustees. For another cause started by Prince Philip who incidentally, was a friend of Mr. Rangoonwala, he would be invited to Buckingham Palace by the Duke with similar request. This close proximity with the royal family and also due to his generous donations he became known internationally. Through World Memon Foundation about hundred and eighty million Rupees were donated by the trustees of the Foundation. Through his own funds, with the assistance of his friends form Teli Group and others he helped acquire land to establish Dhoraji Colony, where some flats and small houses were given away either free or on subsidized rates whereas some plots were sold at no profit. He helped set V.M. Unani Medical College and Zuleikhabai Hospital in Pune, India.

During the last few months of his life he repeatedly requested this writer to get some feasibility reports of needed institutions for which he could donate generously. He also asked the writer that Aligadh University, India, had sent him a word to donate to the community centre there and he said that he might want the writer to go to Aligadh on his behalf to find out the position. However, he never recovered to fulfil his almost last desire.

He was one of the first businessmen to migrate to Karachi and did yeoman service in the fields of relief to refugees, to help set up business, trade and industry. He re-activated Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries of which he became the President, helped establish Federation of Chambers & Commerce and Industries, Pakistan, and also became its President. He himself established several industries including one of the largest oil terminals.

He was one of few Asians to become the President of International Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Paris in which position he had to undertake visits to many countries of the world and had the honour of being received by the Heads of States. He received awards and titles from Pakistan as well as Germany and heads of other countries for the services he rendered.

Mr. Rangoonwala headed National Bank of Pakistan as Chairman. He was Director PICIC and many other organisations, financial institutions and similarly he was associated with some of the world renowned institutions in Europe and America.

One of the feathers in his cap was that he participated in the last bath given to the Quaide-Azam's body at the Governor Generat's House.

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Muhammad Yousuf Adil

 

This famous professional and well-known Chartered Accountant was born on 4th July, 1941. He is a living example of Memon enterprise, starting from scratch and reaching the top. Born in a poor family, his father worked as an accounts clerk. He struggled while studying due to the death of his father in 1953. He worked as a messenger boy with a Hindu grain-broker and also worked as a railway clerk. He worked as a clerk in a textile mill as well as Karachi Port Trust (KPT). He became senior clerk in RCA International Division in 1962. He worked as an accountant in many firms including a firm of leading Chartered Accountants as an article clerk.

After qualifying he started professional practice as a sole-proprietor of a firm of Chartered Accountants in 1972. At present the firm has nine partners and offices all over Pakistan and is one of the top firms of Chartered Accountants in Pakistan.

With all his professional engagements, he has been associated with social activities as General Secretary of Mangrol Memon Jamaat for 14 years and now is its life President. He has been associated with various professional institutes like ICAP, ICMA, AAT, ICS&M and has been serving the council and committees in different positions. He held important positions in some of the organisations as President, Vice-president and member of the Council. He was responsible for designing, introducing and implementing the basic accountancy course and foundation course which has changed the over all pattern and system of chartered accountancy examination in the country. He has worked on the Board of Studies (Education and Training Committee), CPE Committee, Quality Control Review Committee, Professional Standards and Technical Advisory Committee. He is a founder member of Association of Accounting Technicians of Pakistan and has been its Vice President. He has also been Vice President of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Managers, Chairman, Karachi Branch, Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan, President and Secretary Income Tax Bar Association, Karachi. Founder member, Corporate and Taxation Law Society. Consultant to the Board of Directors of Muslim Commercial Bank. He was involved in the privatisation of Muslim Commercial Bank and has been consultant to many leasing companies.

He has represented the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan at various international and regional conferences and seminars and has been associated with World Congress of Accountants and has arranged hundreds of seminars. He has written, published and read papers on various subjects concerning taxation, corporate laws, foreign private investment, labour laws, Islamic modes of financing and various other related topics.He is a founder member of the Memon Professional Forum and has been its President also.

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Muhammad UmarAl-Memony (Dr.)

 

This brilliant son of brilliant father, Allama Abdul Aziz Al-Memony, also, like his father, preferred educational field for his profession. Born in Aligarh, Umar Memon received his B.A. (Honors) degree from Karachi University, standing first and then securing second position completed his M.A. Besides being interested in literature and painting, he was a keen sportsman and was President of the Literary Society and Arts and Crafts Society of the University of Karachi. His paintings were exhibited at various galleries in Karachi. Writer, translator and poet in English lancuage, Umar Memon has command of En'Ylish, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and other regional languages. He earned his doctorate from USA where he is also serving as an academician.

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Majyd Aziz

 

Elected as Chairman of Site Association of Industry,Karachi, both in 1990-91 and 199899, Majyd Aziz, is also the President of MHG Group of Companies and is a Member of the Manacling committee ol' Employers' Federation of Pakistan. He has represented Pakistani employers on many international forums and is an authority on Child Labour issues. He was also a Member of the Managing committees of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Pakistan Ready made Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Pakistan Cotton Fashion Apparel Manufacturer & Exporters Association, etc. He is also one of the founders of CPLC. He was nominated three times by the United States government to attend Advance Executive Programmes on Privatisation, Garments Promotion, and Export Market Strategies, in USA. He is the past Chairman of PakistanUSA Trade & Industry Committee of FPCCI. He was the founder President of Karsaz Jaycees and Galaxy of Youth.

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Majeed Suleman Bawani

 

Hailing from a business family from Jetpur, he settled and carried on business in East Pakistan. After the establishment of Bangladesh, he shifted to Karachi and carried on his business activities besides social services. A very popular and friendly person, he was elected President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries and before the end of his tenure he died suddenly.

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Muhammad Rafiq Dhanani

 

Originally from Junagadh, Prof. Dhanani received his M.Sc. in Geography from Karachi University. He obtained another M.Sc. degree in Urban Planning through Asia Institution of Education, Bangkok. He served in many positions in Sindh University and finally was made Chairman of Geography Department.

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Muhammad Usman Diplai

 

He holds a prominent place amongst the Sindhi writers and journalists. He was born in 1908 in Diplo, a deserted area of Tharparkar, in the family of Habibuilah Memon, who was a small shopkeeper. At that time education available in Diplo was up to matric class. After receiving initial education in Sindhi and English, he acquired some knowledge of Arabic and Persian. His power of observation and absorption was immense which enabled him to write stories.

Life of people in Tharparkar is very difficult and full of odds and troubles; nevertheless, the people of Tharparkar love their land. During draughts he used to go to Sanghar and Tando Bhaoo but his passion for writing always remained insatiable. The more he wrote the more he felt himself thirsty. He was always found either reading or writing. During his service period at Tando Bhago, he came across a periodical 'Munadi' published by Khawaja Hassan Nizami. In one of the issues he found some fake material about aggression of Muhammad Bin Qasim in Sindh. Mr. Diplai immediately wrote a letter to Khawaja Hassan Nizami, inviting his attention towards the distorted matters and appraised him of the factual position by referring to some reliable sources. The Late Khawaja Hassan Nizami published that letter in 'Munadi' without any changes. It can be said that it was his first article which was published in a reputable magazine. He wrote about 150 books which included books on religion, novels and stories. He was also active in the field of journalism. He started a weekly under the name of 'Sindh Times' which afterwards became a daily. He also started a weekly named 'Ibrat'. In both of these, there is severe criticism against professional mullahs, the landlords, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats for which he was imprisoned in 1953 and in 1958. After being released from the jail he again started publication of 'Ibrat' from Hyderabad which became a daily and is still being published from Hyderabad. He was also a good speaker and had good command of Gujrati, Hindi, Gunnukhi, Persian and Arabic languages besides Sindhi and Urdu. The Pakistan Writers' Guild, in recognition of his literary services, conferred an award on him.

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Muhammad Farooq

 

He was a fast bowler and played for Pakistan in test matches.

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Muhammed Husain Gulzar

 

A medical practitioner in Hyderabad, Dr. Guizar is a known social worker. His father too, was a well-known community and social leader. He is the past District Governor of Lions Club International.

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Muhammad Halai

 

Haji Muhammed Halai is a prominent Sindhi journalist who was born in 1908 in Hala. He participated in the Khilafat Movement and brought out a monthly journal Ghalib from Mirpurkhas. Another magazine Al-Hanift, under the same editorship, was published from Jacobabad. He also edited Sindh Gazette. He was sentenced to imprisonment for two years for writing articles against the British Government. In 1935 he started a weekly Hamdard from Mirpurkhas.

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M. 0. Ghani

 

This grand old man for a number of years remained in Burma and Japan. He was a great advocate of education, particularly female education. He -was amongst the very few Memons who saw to it that his daughter became a qualified doctor. Unfortunately, she died at a very young age. One of the child specialists in Karachi, Dr. Abbas is also his son. Mr. M.O. Ghani was very much interested in Islamic literature. His hobbies were reading, music and poetry. He was personally a very good company and an interesting personality. He died in Karachi.

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Mahmood A. Haroon

 

He started his political career at the age of 17 as ADC to the Quaid-e-Azam. Whenever the Quaid came to Karachi, he used to take up responsibility of Quaid's bodyguard and remained with him with open sword in his hand. He was appointed "Salar-e-Ala" of Karachi Muslim League National Guard. He was appointed Naib Salar of All India Muslim League National Guard. He also became a member of the Council of the All India Muslim League. He was elected President of Sindh Provincial Muslim League. When West Pakistan was declared as one Unit, he was elected member of the West Pakistan Assembly. In 1953-54 he also served as Mayor of Karachi Municipal Corporation. For the first time in the history of the Municipal Corporation during Mehmood Haroon's tenure, 50% of the budget of the KMC was provided for the Lyari Area.

He was very active and keen in providing amenities like roads, water supply, sewerage system, etc. to Lyari area. In 1965, he became Federal Cabinet Minister for Labour. In 1968, he was appointed High Commissioner for Pakistan in Britain. In 1969, he became Minister for Agriculture in the Federal Cabinet. In 1978, he was again taken in the Federal Cabinet as Home Minister. He remained in the Cabinet for six years after which he resigned. In 1988, he was again appointed Minister for Frontier Areas. He became Governor of Sindh in 1990, but resigned soon. But within six months he was again appointed Governor of Sindh and as such he is the only politician who became the Governor of Sindh twice and the only Governor who resigned from that position twice. He is the Chief Executive of Pakistan Herald Publications, the publishers of Dawn and has family interest in some trading and business concerns.

Social and welfare institutions established by his worthy father include Abdullah Haroon Orphanage as well as Schools and Colleges. He supervised the administration of those institutions personally. His welfare activities also included charitable hospital and a vocational centre. The services of the Haroon family for the people of Lyari shall be remembered for a long time.

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Maqsood Ismail

 

A noted social worker and one of the Directors of Union Biscuits and Manufacturer Limited, he is a pioneer Industrialist in this field. Mr. Maqsood is at present Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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Mohammad Husain Kapadia

 

Mr. Mohammad Husain Kapadia is originally from Bombay, is a social worker. He was Senior Vice President of KCCI. He is a known business and community leader. He appears to be leading a retired life.

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Mahmood Hassan

 

During the Pakistan movement he was the editor of Deccan Times. He was also editor of Sudharak magazine, urging the need for reforms and political awareness. He has also served Dawn in its editorial department when it was being published from Delhi as the mouthpiece of the Muslim League.

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Mariam Javery (Saeedullah Khan)

 

Younger sister of Laila Javery, this lady holds exhibitions of her paintings and items of interior decoration. She also helps in promoting the work of junior artists through exhibitions of their pieces of handicrafts, paintings and other artistic works.

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Muhammad Haji Karim

 

His family in Karachi started textile business and entered in the field of industries by establishing Karim Silk Mills. He also entered in the construction business and made good progress. He was a community leader and gave donations for the welfare and betterment of people.

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Muhammad Hussain Mehanti

 

He is a Chartered accountant by profession and a well-known social worker. He has been associated with different institutions like Jamiatul Falah, Faran Club, etc. He has also served as a member of KMC and became chairman of its finance committee.

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Mehar Sultana

 

This prominent lady earned name and fame in the field of Urdu journalism and literature. In the earlier days even in big cities people were still hesitant about sending their daughters to schools and colleges. She was a voracious reader of books which inspired her to write something. She wrote an article in childhood which was published in a newspaper which provoked the anger of her mother. Therefore, she started writing under a pen-name. She started poetry at the age of 13 and by 1954 her articles, poems and features began to appear in various newspapers and magazines. She compiled Ladies' Page in 'Inqilab' and 'Hindustan', the Urdu dailies from Bombay. She came to Pakistan in 1960 and resumed education and in 1965 she matriculated and later graduated in Arts. Finally, she received her Masters in Journalism. Meanwhile, her literary activities continued. She wrote four novels, one of them is 'Aik Kiran Ujalav Ki' (A Ray of Light) which describes difficulties faced by Memon girls in getting higher education. In 1985, she joined Urdu daily 'Atijain' and thereafter, she started writing for the daily 'Jang' and other Urdu dailies.

Till 1979 she supervised the Ladies page of Jang. She has compiled a book containing interviews of one hundred poetesses. She has also published a collection of her novelette Sukhanwar. Another collection by the name of Dhoop aur Saiban (Sun and Shelter) was published in 1977. She also wrote a book on Allama lqbal titled Daure Jadid Ki Awaz (The Voice of Modern Era). She also started a magazine "Roop ". She is fluent in Urdu, English, Hindi and Gujrati languages.

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Muhammad Farooq Memon

 

He is a noted social worker of Hyderabad. The Government of Sindh appointed him an Honorary Magistrate. A reputed doctor and a respected social worker, he was secretary of the Red Crescent Society of Hyderabad and Senior Vice President of Sindh Red Crescent Society as well as President of Hyderabad Memon Hospital. He was also Chairman of the Educational Board of Hyderabad Memon Anjuman. He was appointed member of the Relief and Rehabilitation Committee of the Sindh Government and member of the Sir Cowasjee Jehangirjee Institute of Psychiatry, Hyderabad. He was a member of the Supreme Council of All Pakistan Memon Federation and a member of Friends Foundation of Urology Department of Liaquat Medical College. He worked as Vice- President, General Secretary and Treasurer of Pakistan Medical Association, Hyderabad and a member of the Board of Governors of St. Mary High School.

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Mohammad Bachal Memon

 

Mr. Justice Mohammad Bachal Memon was born in a well-to-do family of Naushero Feroz, a town of Nawabshah District. He always preferred simplicity and loneliness over luxurious life and therefore, seldom attended big and noisy parties and functions. He never took any interest in politics as he was strictly against politics and whenever he was pressed to take part in politics he gently but firmly refused to succumb to such pressures. His judgements, verdicts and awards were always based on law and the constitution as he always remained within the constitutional limits while giving judgement. His judgements are even today presented in the courts for reference.

He acquired his primary education in Nawshero Feroz and passed matriculation examination from Sindh Madrassah-tul-Islam, Karachi, He acquired the degree of B.A. from Bahauddin College of Junagadh and LL.B. from Bombay University.

He started his legal practice in 1930 and within a short period he was appointed Sub-Judge and subsequently promoted to the post of Additional Sessions Judge. The verdicts given by him in that capacity are proof of his boldness and strict adherence to law. Though he was approached and was tried to be influenced, yet he decided the cases purely on merit and on the basis of evidence presented before him and in view of his integrity and calibre. he was awarded certificates by the Deputy Commissioner Larkana and Jacobabad as well as by the British Commissioner of Karachi

Afterwards, he was made the Sessions Judge of Nawabshah. In 1948, he was appointed Judge of the Sindh Chief Court. He also served as Chief Justice of the Chief Court for some time. After serving on that post for about ten years he retired. After retirement, General Mohammad Ayub Khan, the then President of Pakistan, wished to assign him the job of Director General of Anti-Corruption Department but he did not accept the offer and preferred the life of a recluse which suited his temperament. He went to Naushero Feroze, his native town, and passed the remaining days of his life quietly. He did not like that even any one should come to see him without any reason. He died in June, 1976.

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Mohammad Bakhsh Memon

 

Mr. Justice Mohammed Bakhsh Memon was a notable name among the honourable judges of the Sindh High Court. His judgements, and interpretations and explanations as well as definitions of various sections of the constitution are note-worthy and still they are taken as reference.

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Muhammad Hashim Abdullah Memon

 

He is one of the worthy members of the Kucchi Memon community. He was the General Secretary of the Government Programme of Lyari Community Development Project in which capacity he continued for ten years. Under this Project an industrial home, a dispensary, a youth club and some schools were established in Lyari area with the help of Asia Foundation. Apart from the above, a Technical Centre was also established. In 1957, he participated in the Human Rights Seminar at Colombo under the auspices of the UNO where he was invited by the Indian Minister for Social Welfare to visit India. Accepting the invitation, Mr. Hashim Abdullah Memon visited India. He attended various international conferences. In recognition of his services, he was awarded Tamgha-eKhidmat by the Government.

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M. L Merchant

 

Mohammed Siddique Ismail Merchant, Bar-at-Law, was more popularly known as M. 1. Merchant. Born in 1912, he matriculated with distinction in Persian and Arithmetic and was admitted to St. Xaviers College for further education where he acquired the degree of B. A. (Hons) and came first class first. He received a scholarship from Sir Karim Bhai Ibrahim through Bombay University for studying abroad. He was the first Muslim who got through with such distinction.

He proceeded to England in 1935 and was called to the Bar in 1940. During his academic life he took interest in sports also and was regarded as a good cricketer. During his stay in London he also played for the team of London University. In 1934, he was included in well-known Pentagular Tournaments in Muslim Team. After coming to Pakistan in 1952 he was appointed as the Joint Secretary of Pakistan Cricket Control Board. He also remained the life member of Pakistan Cricket Control Board. He was on the selection board formed to select the team to proceed abroad. He has written a book on cricket.

He practiced for eight years in the High Court of Bombay. He worked as a junior advocate with well-known Parsi advocate Sir Nusservanjee Engineer. After coming to Karachi he worked as a lawyer for two years. In 1949 he was appointed Additional City Magistrate and in 1957 Sub-divisional Magistrate. He retired in 1964 but in 1969 he was again called for judicial services and was made Honorary Special Magistrate. Besides judicial services, he has rendered services in the social field. He was the Vice-President of the Pakistan Memon Jamat. He was awarded special certificate by the Commissioner of Karachi for the services he rendered for the relief of rain victims of Karachi in 1960.

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Muhammad Yousuf

 

He was an outstanding artist both on the mini-screen and in films. He also worked in Radio Pakistan. He was born in a very well-known Memon family in Bombay. His father wanted him to go to Aligadh for higher education but this young man was fond of films and movies. He started film career under the well-known director Mehboob. He became the first assistant of director Homi Vadia. After partition the family moved to Pakistan. Yousuf also settled in Karachi. He got a job as a drama ' assistant in Radio Pakistan. Simultaneously he entered the film industry. He had to leave that field to join Pan Islamic Steamship Company in order to earn a regular income. After working for 8 years he gave up that job and returned to film and T.V. He played leading roles in 'Mirza Ghalib Bundar Road Per' and 'Lal Kiley Say Lalookhet Tak' . He received international award for his performance. He was proud of being a Memon. He was suffering from cancer and died in 1995.

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Mohammed Rafiq Soorti

 

This memon Pak-Army officer was a Brigadier in Engineering corps of the army. He had a very brilliant and outstanding career.

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Mohammad Omar Suraiya

 

At a very young age at the end of 19th century leaving his high school he ran away to Calcutta. There he met a young Assamese mid-wife whom he married after converting her to Islam. This mid-wife was popular with the upper-class Memon families in Calcutta, Rangoon and Karachi.

To the end of his life he came to be known as Dr. Suraiya. He always believed in maintaining his contacts with rich and mighty government officials and Hindu dignitaries. In his later life, he translated some of the very long poems of well-known British poets whose poems became popular amongst the Gujrati Hindus. He was a great reformist and propagated spread of higher education amongst Memons. His only son was enrolled as the first Memon solicitor in Bombay High Court at the age of twenty-two and the only granddaughter became the first Halai Memon girl M. A. to join the educational service of Government of Bombay, and retired as a principal of one of the colleges.

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Muhamamd Siddique Yakub Tabani

 

Late Mr. Muhammad Siddique Tabani was born in 1916 in Burma in an affluent family. He contributed notably to the promotion and expansion of education in the memory of his mother Mariambai. He established Bagh-e-Mariam Girls School in his native town of Gondal which was one of the best educational institutions for girls. He also established Madrassa-e-Hashmia. After partition, Mr. Muhammad Siddique started business of textiles. After the fall of Dacca, he established a small industrial unit named Zeenat Garments which earns sizeable foreign exchange for the country. The Tabani group has established several industrial projects in Pakistan which include spinning and weaving units, oil exploration, electronics and surgical tools. He also runs Aero-Asia and is known for his philanthropy. He founded religious and educational institutions. He died in 1995.

After his death, the family's philanthropic traditions were continued by his son Haji Ibrahim Tabani. He established business relations with Central Asian Countries of former Soviet Union. He died in 1997 at Madina and was buried in Jannatul Baqih. The next in line to continue the Tabani family activities is Haji Yakub Haji Siddique who presently holds the position of honorary Consul of Turkemanistan.

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Mohammed Siddiq Bilwani

 

He is a noted- social worker. His services to Haji Abdultah Haroon Muslim Gymkhana are well known. Not only has he put new life in this Gymkhana but has converted it into one of the popular Clubs and Gymkhanas in Karachi by expanding its activities, providing more facilities to the members.

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Muhammad Iqbal Rahman

 

Born in 1940, he obtained degree in commerce (B.Com). He qualified as Chartered Accountant from the United Kingdom (FCA). He has attended more than 25 seminars and other courses. He is fluent in Urdu, English, French, German and Arabic languages. He has worked for a long time in Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, India, France, the United Kingdom and Pakistan. In his professional capacity, he has travelled all over the world including African and American continents. He is expert in financial planning, income tax, internal audit and has been economic Advisor, General Manager, Financial Director, Chief Accountant and Corporate Planner with famous audit firms in U. K, France and Switzerland.

In Saudi Arabia he worked for Saudi Industrial Enterprise, Riyadh, Sager Group, Jeddah,. in Pakistan Sandoz Pakistan Limited, Habib Group of Companies in various capacities. He has also worked for Al-Rajeh and Al-Sedais, Saudi Arabia.

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Muhammad Siddique Polani

 

The famous journalist Noor had described Mr. Polani as 'A jockey who rides scores of horses of welfare services'. This statement is almost true. Mr. Polani has always been taking active part in social welfare organisations. He is actively associated with the Bantva Memon Jamat and Gujrati Literary Organisations and many other community organisations. He is always in the forefront of the functions of All Pakistan Memon Federation. His welfare activities started from the very young age in his native town Bantva. He played a major role in the Sewa Sameeti by arranging provision of food grains at a very concessive rate to the consumers in 1944. He became life member of this Sameeti. A reception was held in his honour for his fifty years of social service under the chain-nanship of ex-Federal Minister Mr. Haneef Tayyeb where the chief guest was Mr. Wasim Sajjad, Chairman Senate. Mr Sajjad at that moment'said that owing to very limited resources the Government cannot cope with all the welfare work. Thus the huge social we@are service which the Memons were rendering were in fact easing the burden of the government. A shield was presented by Mr. Wasim Sajjad to Mr. Polani for his services.

The Indian army during the invasion of Junagadh state tortured Mr. Polani because he had played a leading role in celebrating the partition of the Subcontinent and Junaghadh's accession to Pakistan. After migration he worked in various business fields and later on he established a travel agency with the help and support of his sons. He has travelled extensively to Far Eastern, South American and European countries and has now almost retired from business and is involved in social service and has also become a journalist and is editor of magazines like 'Memon Bulletin', 'Memon Samaj' and 'Memon News'. He has also been President of Pakistan Gujrati Periodicals Association.

He has been holding high positions in the Gujrati Writers Association like Pakistan Gujrati Lekhak Mandal. He has been engaged in the composition and publication of 'Lok Gujrat'. He has been successfully associated with all the institutions of the Bantva Memon Community and has held chairmanship or secretaryship of some of these institutions.

Many non-Memon social organisations have active support of Mr. Polani in social welfare activities. Even at the age of 70, he looks young and enthusiastic and is busy day and night in social activities. He is a trustee of Al-Jilani Foundation. He is also head of the Supreme Council of Pakistan Memon Federation.

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Muhammad Arif Nagria

 

Dr. Muhammad Arif was born in March, 1945, and with his father migrated to Pakistan in 1950. He received his initial schooling at St. Patrick's School, Chittagong. He did his matric from Karachi securing first class first position. Again he stood first class first in the Inter-Science examinations from D. J. Science College, Karachi and joined Dawood College of Engineering and Technology and, true to his past, again secured first class first in B.E. (Electronics). For his outstanding academic achievements he was awarded merit certificates and gold medals by the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan.

He was selected from the Province of Sindh for Masters Degree in Russia on Government scholarship. At the same time he was awarded an American scholarship for studies at MIT and a West Gen-nan scholarship. He opted for Soviet Union as till then no Memon had ever gone to that country. In 1972, he obtained Masters Degree in Electronic Power Engineering and was decorated with gold medal. He simultaneously got Master's Degree in Russian language both for teaching and translation work. He also obtained postgraduate certificate in Economy and Management. He was the only Pakistani who participated in the Project (electrical side) in Soviet Union for Pakistan Steel Mills which was to be established in future. He married a Russian Muslim girl and returned to Karachi in 1973. His two daughters were born in Karachi. Both of them have done their MBA from Moscow. His only son has also done MBA.

For a short period, he worked as Professor of Russian language at Lagos University, Nigeria. He went back to Moscow and got his Ph.D. degree in Engineering in Automation of Industrial Processes and published scores of scientific papers in the Soviet Union and Western European countries. Five of his inventions are patented.

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Muhammad Yusuf Khairati

 

He spent his entire life serving Habib Bank Limited from its inception upto nationalisation. He enjoyed one of the top positions in the Bank. After retirement he continued his social and religious services, particularly looking after mosques and their management.

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