ISLAMABAD, Oct 31, 2026: Eminent personalities from public life, literature, policymaking and the corporate sector came together in Islamabad to celebrate the 100th year of Syed Babar Ali at the launch of Syed Babar Ali, A Centennial Tribute, authored by Muhammad Azfar Ahsan.
The book highlights the life and contributions of Syed Babar Ali, the veteran industrialist, educationist and philanthropist. The launch ceremony was organised by the Corporate Pakistan Group and Nutshell Group.
Speakers noted that it is rare for a national hero to be honoured in his lifetime, adding that Syed Babar Ali is among the few personalities to receive such recognition through Azfar Ahsan’s tribute.
Renowned poet and intellectual Iftikhar Arif spoke about his association with Syed Babar Ali and said that while many people recognised his contribution to business, industry and education, fewer were aware of his services 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 recalled that he began his career with the Packages Group under the mentorship of Syed Babar Ali and remained connected with 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 remembered his first interaction with Syed Babar Ali in the 1980s and described him as a rare visionary who could see opportunities where others could not.
“From industrial vision to sustainability, he was way ahead of his time,” Dr Malik said.
Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat said that while the world had many isolated success stories, 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 ACM Sohail Aman, who served from 2015 to 2018, spoke about Syed Babar Ali’s role in 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 among the architects of Pakistan’s financial landscape, citing his long association with the World Bank, IFC and Bank of America.
Planetive CEO Ayla Majid recalled her days at LUMS and her meetings with Syed Babar Ali, saying that his contributions were deeply woven into Pakistan’s industrial and academic fabric.
Speaking at the end, author Muhammad Azfar Ahsan shared how the idea of the book emerged in connection with 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 were to serve as an inspiration for the younger generation.
