Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) hosted an event to honour eminent businessman magnate and philanthropist Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan for his exceptional contributions to Pakistan’s business landscape and global philanthropic endeavours.
A documentary chronicling Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan’s remarkable journey and his pivotal role in shaping business and humanitarian efforts was also screened on the occasion.
A number of notable figures including presidents from various sectors and unions within the Islamabad community, esteemed personalities from the real estate realm, members of the Islamabad Developer Associations, scholars from different domains, prominent media anchors, as well as students and aspiring young entrepreneurs attended the ceremony.
Deputy Chairman Senate, Mirza Muhammad Afridi and speakers from the business community such as President of the ICCI, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Chairman Founder Group ICCI, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Senior Vice President ICCI, Faad Waheed, Vice President ICCI, Engr. M Azhar ul Islam Zafar and many other distinguished individuals addressed the ceremony and paid him rich tributes for his accomplishments.
Sardar Ilyas’ sons, CEO of The Centaurus Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and Senior Vice President of Sardar Group Sardar Rashid Ilyas Khan were also present on the occasion.
Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan himself took the stage to share insights from his transformative journey. Beginning in 1976, his journey spans 47 years, marked by accomplishments that have not only redefined Pakistan’s business landscape but also left an indelible mark on Gulf nations.
During the period of 1984 to 1987, Al Tamimi navigated with limited resources, operating a catering division in partnership with an American global company, employing around 150 individuals. In 1987, Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan assumed leadership of the catering division, a role he continues to excel in as Group President and Managing Director. History bears witness to his unparalleled rise to prominence within Gulf countries in an impressively short span. Under his visionary stewardship, the group has expanded to encompass eight companies, harboring a 30,000-strong workforce and an extensive fleet of assets spanning the GCC.
Among these employees, around 13,000 are of Pakistani origin, a testament to Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan’s personal efforts in facilitating their employment through visas granted over the past 47 years from Saudi Arabia. This number is projected to rise to 35,000 by year-end, with Pakistani employees contributing significantly to the company’s success by remitting 8-9 billion PKR annually to Pakistan.
TAFGA, under Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan’s astute leadership, offers a diverse range of services including Catering, Operations & Maintenance, Construction of Temporary Facilities, Manufacturing, Facility Management Services, and more.
The visionary also established a non-profit Training Institute within the TAFGA Group, training over 2,800 Saudis with fundamental skills and academic knowledge, enhancing their employability.
Recognizing his extraordinary contributions, the Pakistani High Commission in Riyadh nominated Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan for the Sitara-e-Pakistan award, acknowledging his impact on foreign investment and employment opportunities for Pakistanis. His legacy resonates through reshaping industries and fostering national and global welfare.
