Exclusive Interview of S.M. Muneer (Bhai Jan) and Leader of the Business Community of Pakistan

Destiny and karma assume a significant job in a pioneer’s life. Individuals carry their destiny with them. Be that as it may, there are an individual which are not many who compose their own fate and doesn’t depend on karma, likewise they don’t enable it to manage their life. These few individuals are bound to clear their very own future. When looking at changing fate the name S.M Muneer is considered on top among those individuals.

S.M. Muneer was born in a well off business family. After completing his graduation, He joined his father’s firm in 1964 at a very early age. His father (Late) S. Muhammad Din owned a leather firm. That firm later went on to become one of the largest firms which export the raw leather worldwide. But God has other plans. The famous saying “successes don’t come easy” is not yet applied to Him. There’s a big trial was waiting for him which have to test his abilities from the core. His father’s company went bankrupt in 1966. The dark days were ahead of him. Din families were in a critical financial crisis. They were so broke that He decided to join a vacancy in PIA, but His father stopped Him. That ordeal went on for Him. They had to sell everything from their property to personal households to overcome the financial losses and to pay off the debts. But His father didn’t lose hope and wanted Him to set and excel in his own business. Now starts the story of redemption. He has to reclaim the lost glory. He was dejected. The empire was destroyed. That was when he decided to rebuild everything from scratch. He rented a small leather tannery. After sometimes, he rented another following by another and rest is history. He didn’t look back from there. His experience and dedication to his objective and cause take him to the new heights of success. His company was expanding and sales were worldwide. The company went on to become the largest exporter of finished leather in Pakistan. Leather business was booming. It was that time when he decided to step into the textile industry. He set up first spinning factory in Lahore. It was a success. He owns five of them now producing fine quality fabric worth billions. He expanded his business interests to various sectors like banking, real estate, chemicals and other sectors.

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S.M. Muneer accomplished each objective an individual can dream, however there is something remaining, which he wouldn’t like to achieve yet wants. What’s more, that longing is serving humankind. That is the place he begun another section in his life. He was of the view that opens intrigue, humankind, and welfare is higher than all organizations. Individuals of this nation are confronting numerous social, wellbeing and money related issues. It requires in excess of a push to control them all. He needs to work and contribute in these segments. That see made him a lion. These serious issues request mindfulness and instruction. S.M. Muneer chose to join and bolster the consecrated reason which serves the Humanity. He is a lions of Pakistan.

S.M. Muneer is the Chairman of Din Group of Industries and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). His company Din Leather (Pvt.) Ltd is the biggest exporter of leather in Pakistan and he has four textile mills in the name of Din Textile Mills in Lahore.

Position in companies

Chairman: 1) M/s. Din Leather(Pvt) Ltd. : The leading exporting company of Finished Leather in Pakistan having most modern tanning unit in Karachi with last year annual turnover of about Pak. Rs.2.5 Billion. (US$: 25 Million)

Chairman: 2) M/s. Din Textile Mills Ltd. : One of the leading exporters of different types of valued added yarns, having four most modern spinning units in Lahore (total 79,008 spindles) and exporting following very high quality value added yarns. Total annual turnover is about Pak.Rs.10 billion (US$:100 million)

• 100% Cotton Knitting Yarn Brand “NABEEL”
• 100% Cotton Melange Yarn Brand “DIN”
• 100% Cotton Compact Yarn Brand “DINCOM4”
• Cone Dyed Yarn Brand “DIN”
• Slub Yarn Brand “DIN”
• Core Spun Lycra Yarn Brand KOMFORT
• Combed and Gassed Yarn Brand “DIN”
• -P/C Melange Yarn Brand “DIN”

The above units are equipped with most modern imported machinery and are producing finest quality yarn in different verities.

Portfolio

• Vice Chairman: I) MUSLIM COMMERCIAL BANK LTD. (Since 08/04/1991- 05/06/1995 and 30/08/2000 to date)
• Member: ii) Board of Governors College of Business Management Karachi (CBM), Since 1997 (About 400 students)
• Member: iii) Board of Governors University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore since 1996. (About 4300 Students)
• Member: iv) Board of governors Greenwich University, Karachi since 30/06/1998.(About 750 Students)
• Trustee: v) Fatimid Blood Foundation, Karachi, Since 29-05-2000
• Chairman: vi) Board of Governors Din College, Chiniot Since 12/01/2004. (About 500 Students)
• Member: vii) Board of Governor Institute of Behavioral Sciences (IBS) Karachi Since 2003. (Hospital)
• Member: viii) Board of Governors Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Lahore (SKMT) SINCE 12/12/2004.(Cancer Hospital)
• Member: IX) APPOINTED AS MEMBER, ADVISORY BOARD OF CITIZEN POLICE LAISON COMMITTEE (CPLC) BY THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOR SINDH SINCE 16/2/2008
• Chairman: X) CHINIOT ANJUMAN-E-ISLAMIA PAKISTAN SINCE 20/5/2007
• Patron-In-Chief: XI) Korangi Association of Trade & Industry Karachi since 1996.
• President IPCCI: XII) elected as president of India-Pakistan chamber of commerce & industry (IPCCI) on 12/11/2008 in New Delhi (India).
• Member: XIII) member IBA advisory council since 16/12/2009
• Member: XIV) member board of governors of the kidney centre post graduate training institute since 20/10/2011
• Member: XV) Board Of Governors Nazeer Husain University Karachi since 8^th Sept.,2011
• Member: XVI) Nominated as Member of Pakistan-India Joint business Forum (PIJBF) by Ministry of Commerce, Govt., of Pakistan on 13^th March, 2013. The aims and objectives of this forum are to promote business and bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. This Forum is constituted with prominent businessmen from each country.
• Chairman: XVII) Muneer Husain foundation since 21.10.2013 for the improvement of cricket in Pakistan.
• Chief Executive Officer: XVIII) appointed as chief executive officer of trade development authority of Pakistan (TDAP) by the prime minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif  vide notification no. I/60/2008-E-6 dated 12^th march, 2014.
• Justice of peace: XIX) appointed justice of peace Karachi division on 11/3/2014 by government of Sindh.

Trophies and Awards

• DIN LEATHER (Pvt.) LTD. received various Best Export Performance Trophies from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Karachi, for highest exports and has also been awarded the best award “GOLD MEDALLION AWARD” in recognition to its exports achievements by The International Export Association, U.K.
• S. M. Muneer (Chairman) has been Awarded the “BEST BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD” by The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Karachi, which is the highest award given by F.P.C.C.I.(In presence of General Zia-ul-Haq, President of Pakistan)
• DIN TEXTILE MILLS LTD. Has been awarded twice “The Top 25 Companies Award” by the Karachi Stock Exchange.

1. In 2000 and Award was given by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shaukat Aziz.
2. In 2001 and Award was given by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Jamali.

• President of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf has conferred “SITARA-I-ISAAR” Award to S. M. Muneer (Chairman) on 30-06-2006 in recognition of his outstanding services for the cause of humanity.
• President of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf has conferred biggest Award of “SITARA-I-IMTIAZ” to S. M. Muneer (Chairman) on 14-08-2007 in recognition of his outstanding public services for the cause of humanity. This Award was given in a special ceremony by Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan on 23/03/2008 at Governor House, Karachi.
• Institute of Business & Technology (BIZTEC) has conferred Honorary PHD degree of Doctorate of Philosophy at its convocation held on 30^th May, 2008 at Hotel Marriott in Karachi and second time  the Indus Institute of Higher Education has conferred Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy at its convocation held on 19^th January, 2009.
• S. M. Muneer was awarded Life Time Achievement Award on 29/01/2012 in the City of Markham (Canada) by the Mayor Mr. Frank Scarpitti in the presence of members of parliament, advisor to Prime Minister and Pakistani Community. The Award was given for his services to act as the bridge between Canada and Pakistan in promoting business and friendship.
• S. M. Muneer was awarded “Life Time Achievement Award” by the President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, in the President House on 27/08/2012.
• Mr. S. M. Muneer was awarded ” FPCCI 1^ST GOLD MEDAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” for the year 2012 by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan on 22^nd June, 2013.
• Din Textile Mills Ltd., have been awarded “TOP 25 KARACHI STOCK EXCHANGE COMPANIES AWARD.” This AWARD is presented to Mr. S. M. Muneer (Chairman) Din Group of Industries on 26.03.2015 by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• S.M. Muneer has also been awarded “LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” by Federal Minister for Planning Development & Reform, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on April 05, 2015 at Marriot Hotel Karachi.

Foreign visits

• Travelled abroad extensively in the last 46 years to various countries for the promotion of export orders for more than 450 times.
• Visited following countries as the Leader of Pakistan’s’ Official Trade Delegation of Government of Pakistan.

• India 1982
• New Zealand & Fiji Island 1984
• Japan/Korea 1985
• Turkey 1991

• Visited Turkey and Iraq as the Member of Govt. Official Delegation led by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in1989.
• Visited Turkey as Member of Govt. Official Delegation with Senator Sartaj Aziz Federal Finance Minister in 1991
• Visited Muscat, as the Member of Govt. Official Delegation led by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and signed “Cooperation Agreement” between FPCCI and Oman Chamber in 1994
• Visited Germany as President F.P.C.C.I. with official delegation led by Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and signed “Cooperation Agreement” between F.P.C.C.I. & DIHT (German Federation) from April 18th to 20th April 1994.
• Visited Turkministan with Prime Minister Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto from 25th to 28th October, 1994.
• Visited Japan with Prime Minister Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto from 16th to 21st January, 1996.
• Visited Indonesia and Brunei with Prime Minister Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto from 5-10 March, 1996.
• Visited Bahrain & Syria with Prime Minister Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto from 22-25 April, 1996.
• Visited Korea with Prime Minister Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto from 21st July to 24th July 1996.
• Visited with Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan as the member of official delegation to the following countries.

• 21-24 November 2004 Sri Lanka, Maldive and India.
• 31^st May 2005 Lebanan.
• 31^st May to 3^rd June 2005 Turkey.
• 8^th to 11^th August 2005 Japan.
• 11^th to 13^th August 2005 Hong Kong.
• 28^th Sep to 3^rd Oct 2005 Korea & Malaysia

• Visited Turkey with Chief Minister Punjab, MianShahbaz Sharif from 12^th Jan to 16^th January, 2010.
• Visited India with Pakistan official delegation head by Mr, Mukhdoom Amin Fahim and Federal Commerce Minister from 26/9/2011 to 1/10/2011.

Former Positions

• Chairman of All Pakistan Tanners Association (Central Zone ) in the following years:
• 1969-70, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1993-94.(seven times). Organized “Pakistan Leather Show” since 1979.
• Member of Federal Parliament (Government of Pakistan) in 1984-85. (Majlis-e-Shura)
• Vice Chairman/Senior Vice Chairman of S.I.T.E. Association of Industry, Karachi, for Two years which is one of the biggest Industrial Association of Pakistan in 1985-86.
• Chairman of Export Promotion Committee for Leather and Leather Garments from 1981 to 1986.
• Senior Vice President of Faran Club (International) 1986-87
• President of Faran Club (International) 1987-88.
• Trustee in Karachi Port Trust for 1986-87.
• Vice Chairman of Karachi Port Trust for 1987-88 & remained acting Chairman many times.
• Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade & Industry which is the biggest Industrial Association of Pakistan for 1988-89 & 1990-91. (Two times)
• Member of Managing Committee of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1985-1987 & 1990-91. (Two times)
• Member of Managing Committee of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Karachi, 1988-1990.
• Vice President of The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Karachi, for 1990-91 and was Acting President, many times during 1990-91.
• President, Karachi Gymkhana Club for the year 1991-92.
• Vice Chairman of Muslim Commercial Bank Limited during since 08-04-1991 to 04-06-1995
• President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce& Industry during Jan-94 to Mar-1996.
• Federal Minister of State & Chairman Pakistan Trade Fair Corporation in 1997
• Appointed Minister of State and Chairman Pakistan Trade Fair Corporation as technocrats (as he is not a member of any political party). Not taken any benefit that is any salary, car, petrol, driver or any travelling charges and everything was paid personally and has given the services to the business community completely free with pleasure without any burden of any sort on national exchequer.
• Chairman of Muslim Commercial bank Ltd. from 05-06-1995 to 27-06-1997.
• Vice President of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (Sindh Provincial Branch) from 23-07-1998 till 09-10-2002.
• Director Investment Corporation of Pakistan from 12/3/1997 till 21/03/2001
• Director State Cement Corporation of Pakistan from 27/10/2003 to 13/04/2004.
• Chairman of Aiwan-e-Tijarat-o-Sanat Hospital Trust, Karachi. 1997-1998
• Director, Corporate & Industrial Restucturing Corporation (CIRC) Govt. of Pakistan Since 06-01-2001 till 22/09/2006 (Mr.Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan was the Chairman, of this CIRC.)
• Vice Chairman Chiniot Anjuman-e-Islamia from 24/01/2001 till 19/05/2007.
• Director National Industrial Parks Development and Management Company (NIP) from 18/4/2006 till 8/4/2008.
• Director Pakistan Textile City (Pvt.) Ltd. Karachi from 10/11/2004 till 15/09/2008.
• Member Board of Governors Police Hospital Karachi & Hyderabad from 13/3/2006 till 29/1/2009
• Pak-Canada Business Council of FPCCI for 2009/2010 & 2012/2014

Welfare

• Chairman of Chiniot Anjuman-e-Islamia, a social welfare society running many dispensaries, maternity homes, schools and hospitals in Karachi, Faisalabad and Chiniot. Recently the Trust has completed a big hospital of about 150 beds in Korangi Area.
• Convenor, Quaid Foundation (Mohammad Ali Jinnah, To spread Quaids’ message)
• Founder Life Member of Pakistan Hypertension League Karachi.
• Member Board of Governors “Professional Education Foundation” since 14/04/2010, (PEF) is a registered trust giving scholarships to brilliant students whose parents cannot finance the expenses of their education, currently 700 students on role and studying leading universities of Pakistan with a targeted increase of 150-200 students every year.
• Recently constructed a very modern girls College in the name of “Din College” in Chiniot and the college is working under the auspices of Chiniot Anjuman Islamia. This College was inaugurated in September, 2004 by Governor of Punjab Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Maqbool.
• Din Group through its Chairman S.M. Muneer donated Rupees One Crore in the President Relief and Fund after earth quake on 8^th Oct, 2006 and also donated Rs. One Crore for Flood Relief in 2010.
• Director of “Make-A-Wish Foundation International – USA since 18^th Sept., 2008.
• Patron-In-Chief “Friends of Burns Centre” Civil Hospital Karachi since 8/10/2004.
• Trustee of “The Legend Trust” under chairmanship of Governor of Sindh since 7/11/2006
• Founder Member of “Trust for Vaccines & Immunization” (TVI) since Dec., 2009.

Social Activities

• Member: Karachi Gymkhana Club Since 10/08/1972
• Member: Karachi Club Since 14/04/1992
• Member: Karachi Golf Club Since 24/12/1987
• Member: Defence Authority Marina Club, Karachi Since 25/08/1992
• Member: Faran Club International – Karachi Since 19/07/1986
• Member: Bath Island Lions Club, Karachi Since May, 1994
• Member: Muslim Gymkhana Karachi, Since 02-10-1998
• Member / Director: Arabian Sea Country Club, Karachi Since 01/07/1997
• Member: ACACIA Country & Golf Club Since 24/01/2008
• President: Karachi New MJF Lions Club Since 17/10/2006

What must be the needs of the administration at present?

S. M. Muneer: Top need of the administration ought to be sending out as without remote trade we are and would be stuck in an unfortunate situation. Fare arranged nations never face financial inconvenience since they get the remote trade as well as produce income therefore improving foundation. A standout amongst the best techniques for destitution easing is to reinforce assembling and fares. The new government needs to guarantee that the top need and the cure of every single monetary sick are to support fare of Pakistan which would at last disseminate every financial misfortune.

How would you see the monetary development before the finish of this financial?

S. M. Muneer: Economic development before the finish of this monetary year will be extremely powerful as our Prime Minister, Imran Khan is straightforward individual and is buckling down to improve the economy and the business network must give full help to him for the effective economy..

Your perspectives on the agreeable exchange relations with the neighboring nations.

S. M. Muneer: Pakistan must have very good friendly relations with all the neighboring countries. It is basic to improve exchange exercises with our everything neighboring nations, which would be very useful for the financial advancement. Neighbors can’t be changed. It is to serve all neighbors to keep up serene condition for the advancement of the general population living in the area thus boosting financial exercises.

Share with us the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) exercises of your association:

S. M. Muneer: Our association is doing part of corporate social obligation exercises in the nation running emergency clinics, schools, universities, maternity home, and furthermore supporting various associations, which are working for the reason for mankind. With our help the destitute are dealt with 100% free of expense. Clinics in Pakistan are working superbly, be that as it may, there is much more to do since the destitution is flooding and populace is blossoming in Pakistan. Know that the quantity of specialists and paramedic staff is diminishing in Pakistan since such experts get rewarding open doors abroad so they quit Pakistan for the better prospects. Pakistan is an incredible nation and the therapeutic experts from Pakistan are given significant incentive over the world. There is a desperate need of progressively world class medical clinics in Pakistan. We realize that a large number of Pakistan’s real emergency clinics giving critical medicinal consideration to the majority from Lady Reading in Peshawar to Karachi’s Civil Hospital, were developed amid British frontier times and it is our obligation to offer legitimate therapeutic consideration to the discouraged, specifically.

The business training scene in Pakistan foreshadows well since a large number of youths are getting quality instruction. Pakistan needs more specialists, engineers, bookkeepers, business visionaries and so forth. We have to build our instruction spending plan with the goal that better schools, universities and colleges could be built up for our who and what is to come. There are several liberal Pakistanis who give millions to guarantee that a large number of Pakistanis show signs of improvement instructive chances.

How could the joblessness issues be handled in our nation?

S. M. Muneer: Unemployment is the most concerning issue in our nation today and to deal with this issue our legislature must give backing and motivators to the new business so individuals can land position. There should be upset of business enterprise in Pakistan to handle the long-standing issue of high work in Pakistan. The business can oblige the gifted and incompetent workforce on the off chance that the legislature boosts the business of Pakistan which would in the long run lead to the flood in fares too helping Pakistan free of twin shortfalls.

How could destitution be disposed of in Pakistan?

S. M. Muneer: Poverty must be disposed of by giving employments and helping poor people. The more the talented workforce in any nation the less the neediness. Specialized training is the response to wipe out neediness in Pakistan. An ever increasing number of specialized organizations should be set up with the goal that the poor could profit themselves in this way helping their families by gaining vocation.