ISLAMABAD, Oct 31, 2026: Leading figures from public life, literature, policy and business gathered in Islamabad to mark the 100th year of Syed Babar Ali at the launch of Syed Babar Ali, A Centennial Tribute, a book by Muhammad Azfar Ahsan on the life and contributions of the veteran industrialist, educationist and philanthropist.
The ceremony was organised by the Corporate Pakistan Group and Nutshell Group. Speakers said it was rare for a hero to be celebrated during his lifetime, adding that Syed Babar Ali was among the few to receive such an honour through the book authored by Azfar Ahsan.
Noted poet and intellectual Iftikhar Arif recalled his association with Syed Babar Ali and said that while many people spoke about his services in business, industry and education, fewer knew about his contribution to language, literature and the arts.
“Syed Babar Ali has preserved languages, literature, calligraphy and the pool of rich traditional and regional knowledge in a way no single person anywhere in the world has done,” he said.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said he had started his career with the Packages Group under the mentorship of Syed Babar Ali and remained linked to him to this day.
“The sharpness, the intellect and perspective and vision of Syed Babar Ali remains amazing till now. People build institutions and Syed Babar Ali is an institution,” he said.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Dr Musadik Malik recalled his initial interaction with Syed Babar Ali in the 1980s and described him as a rare visionary who saw opportunities where others did not.
“From industrial vision to sustainability, he was way ahead of his time,” he said.
Former chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat said the world had many isolated success stories, but there were very few examples of durable institutions being established.
“Syed Babar Ali has the accolade of establishing not one but numerous such institutions,” he said.
Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, who served from 2015 to 2018, spoke about Syed Babar Ali’s contribution to economic development and education. He described LUMS as one of the few educational institutions recognised globally for excellence and accredited as having been established by one person.
Chairman Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Nadeem Karamat said Syed Babar Ali was one of the architects of Pakistan’s financial landscape, citing his long engagement with the World Bank, IFC and Bank of America.
Planetive CEO Ayla Majid spoke about her days at LUMS and her encounters with Syed Babar Ali. She said his contributions were woven deep into Pakistan’s industrial and academic fabric.
Speaking at the end, the book’s author, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, recalled how he came to write the book, which was linked to Syed Babar Ali’s 100th birthday in June.
“Syed Babar Ali’s philosophy has been to learn from others,” he said.
Ahsan thanked all those who contributed to the book and said its purpose and message was to serve as an inspiration for the younger generation.
