KARACHI: He may have lived as an owner of big capital, but to most who knew him Ali Suleman Habib will be remembered for his affable manner, highly intelligent mind, understated yet focused personality, and his passion for promoting education. He passed away in Karachi on Friday after battling a pancreatic infection for several weeks.

He was known to those who worked with him as a man of vision who could think beyond his specific business concerns. He served as Indus Motors chairman as well as heading the House of Habib that included companies such as Thal Limited, Shabbir Tiles and Ceramics, Habib Metropolitan Bank, and Metro Habib Cash and Carry.

Aside from business, his biggest passion was education and he founded Habib University in Karachi, as well as running Habib Public School, of which he was himself a graduate. After HPS he went to college in the United States, getting a BSc degree in mechanical engineering.

He served as founding chairman of the Young Presidents Organisation’s Pakistan chapter as well as the Pakistan Business Council, which formulated policy advice for the government. He also served on the board of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust.

He was remembered by a variety of national leaders from across the political spectrum, from Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi, to former ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Miftah Ismail, as news of his death spread. They acknowledged their closeness to him as well as an intellectual debt of gratitude to his stature.

He is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons as well as three sisters. His brother had passed away a few years ago.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2020