KARACHI – In an unprecedented show of solidarity and admiration, national and international business community has paid their respects and showered their adulations on the late Tariq Sayeed. The widely-attended memorial reference was held at Federation House, Karachi and Capital Office, Islamabad; as well as Regional Offices in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta and connected via Zoom link as well. Prominent business personalities, industrialists, international business leaders, politicians, journalists, civil servants, diplomats and former & current office bearers of FPCCI were present in large numbers; while hundreds joined through video link.Â
Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President FPCCI, has paid glowing tributes to the legendary businessman and former President of FPCCI, Late Tariq Sayeed. He said that he was truly a larger than life figure and helped build FPCCI as an institution.
International Business Community from the platforms of Islamic Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (ICCIA), SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI) have condoled the demise of Tariq Sayeed with FPCCI and family of the late leader. Leadership of these apex bodies have remembered the contributions of Tariq Sayeed in bringing the Islamic, SAARC and Asia-Pacific countries & regions together, respectively. Tariq Sayeed was also instrumental in making active participation of Pakistani business, industry and trade community in these international and regional forums of significance and economic cooperation.
Former presidents of FPCCI spanning last three decades expressed their admiration for Tariq Sayeed and his politics including: Mian Habibullah (1992-93), Mr. Ilyas Bilour (1996-97), Iftikhar Ali Malik (2001-02), Sheikh Sultan Chawla (2009-10), Haji Ghulam Ali (2011), Mr. Zubair Malik (2013), Mr. Zakaria Usman (2014), Mian Adrees (2015), Mr. Rauf Alam (2016), Mr. Zubair Tufail (2017), Engr. Daroo Khan (2019) and Mian Anjum Nisar (2020).
Mian Anjum Nisar, immediate Past President FPCCI, remembered Tariq Sayeed as a mentor and as an elder of the business community. Sultan Chawla, a former President FPCCI, said that Tariq Sayeed was a man of vision and a winner in all political battles; from student life to the presidency of the apex body, FPCCI.
Mr. Zubair Malik, former President FPCCI, paying tributes to late Tariq Sayeed, said that he was a born leader and his mentor and that such leaders are born once in a millennium. Mian Habibullah, former President FPCCI, said that late Tariq Sayeed was an encyclopedia of trade politics and he was the reason he came into business politics.
Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, former President, paid glowing tributes to late Tariq Sayeed and said he was like an elder brother to him. Mr. Ilyas Bilour, former President, said that late Tariq Sayeed always treated him like his dear friend and associate. Haji Ghulam Ali, former President, said that the void can never be filled. Mr. Zakaria Usman, former President, said that there can never be any other leader like Tariq Sayeed. Mian Adrees, former President, while paying tribute to late Tariq Sayeed said that his contribution can never be forgotten. Mr. Zubair Tufail, former President, while paying tributes to late Tariq Sayeed said that he can never forget all that he did for him and the business community of Pakistan. Mr. Rauf Alam, former President, said that he remembers him as an icon of business community and Engr. Daroo Khan, former President, said that despite being on opposite side of business politics, he always treated him like his own and if the business community really wants to pay tribute to him, then they must unite as one to continue his vision and legacy.
Khawaja Shahzeb Akram, SVP FPCCI, thanked late Tariq Sayeed sb for his commendable leadership. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, a former SVP FPCCI, said that Tariq Sayeed led a very active and accomplished life. Mian Shaukat Ahmed, former SVP FPCCI, said Tariq Sayeed was the most loving person he has known.
Mr. Khurram Sayeed son, Mr. Humayun Sayeed brother and Mr. Haroon Rashid cousin of Late Mr. Tariq Sayeed were present during the reference. Karachi Chamber President Mr. Shariq Vohra, Senator Javed Jabbar, Mr. Kamal Azfar, former Governor Sindh, Mr. Zubair Motiwala, Chairman BMG, Mr. Bashir Jan Mohammad, Senator Majid Sultan, Mr. Aziz Memon, Mr. Tahir Khaliq, Mr. Younus Dagha, former Federal Secretary, Mr. Iftikhar Shirazi, Mr. Haroon Rashid, Mr. Hanif Gohar, Mr. Majyd Aziz, Mr. Nisar A. Memon, Dr. Aftab Imam, Mr. Qanwar Qutbuddin, Sheikh Aslam, Mr. Amjad Rafi, Mr. Naveed Jan Baloch, Mr. Saquib Fayaz Maggo , Haji Fazal Elahi, Mian Zahid Hussain, Mr. Shabbir Hassan Mansha, Mr. Ghani Usman, Mr. Shakil Dhingra, Mr. Adeel Siddiqui, Mr. Nasir Khan, Mr. Arif Jeewa, Mr. Athar Sultan Chawla, Mr. Hanif Lakhani – VPs FPCCI, Coordinators Mirza Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Ali Mian, Sultan Rehman as well as large number of FPCCI Executive Committee and General Body members among others paid glowing tributes to Late Tariq Sayeed and said that he will always be remembered for his pioneering, historical and highly-influential business, industrial, trade, social, political and philanthropic journey spanned over five decades of eventfulness and consequence. His personal integrity, commitment to the industry and dedication to the national interest are impeccable and unmatched.
Speakers also recommended awarding the highest civilian award of Pakistan to Late Tariq Sayeed and to name the FPCCI Head Office or Capital Office in the name of Late Tariq Sayeed for a befitting tribute.
Mr. Khurram Tariq Sayeed thanked participants for expressing their love, admiration, praise and appreciation for Tariq Sayeed and said he will never forget this memorable reference. He recalled that during the reference many speakers said that his Late father never cared about his own business and industry; and the reason for that was that he always said that if Pakistan’s industry and businesses flourish, then it would be like his own industry and business flourishing and that’s the real asset that he earned in his life; along with the love and affection of the local and international business community. He pledged to carry forward the vision and philanthropic legacy of his beloved late father and thanked President FPCCI for holding the historic reference.
