Khawaja Anver Majid, the founder and chairman of Omni Group, has recently been honoured with Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award.

Majid rose from humble beginnings in Shimla to play a key role in Pakistan’s industrial revival through banking, international trade and entrepreneurship. He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his contributions to the economy and social development.

However, in August, his nomination sparked criticism as some questioned how a person once accused in high-profile cases could receive such a national honour.

Industrial leadership

Majid was born in Shimla in 1942 and educated at Lawrence College Ghora Gali Aitchison College and Government College Lahore. He began his banking career in 1962 and trained in the UK before returning to Pakistan where he rose to general manager at Dubai Bank. In 1984 he shifted focus to entrepreneurship, entering the automotive industry and later founding Omni Group in 1999.

Majid’s foray into the automotive industry marked the beginning of a legacy that would reshape Pakistan’s industrial sector. He collaborated with Ford New Holland to manufacture tractors and served as managing director of Haroon Oil Ltd., a joint venture with Gulf Oils. In 1999, he was appointed the first Honorary Consul General of Croatia in Pakistan, further strengthening his global business ties. That same year, he founded Omni Group, a conglomerate that would soon become a powerhouse of economic growth.

Omni Group has grown into a diversified industrial giant, spanning multiple sectors, including sugar, cement, ethanol, packaging, rice processing, power generation and more. Under Majid’s leadership, the group played a pivotal role in reviving sick industrial units, bringing defunct factories back to life and creating thousands of jobs in the process. His ability to turn around struggling businesses and make them profitable has earned him a reputation as a pioneer in Pakistan’s industrial revival.

Champion of economic development

Majid’s groundbreaking efforts in the revival of sick units have had far-reaching effects on Pakistan’s economy. He personally led the restoration of several industrial units, including a rice processing facility, four sugar mills, a cement plant, an industrial gas production company and a tractor assembly plant. These projects created over 4,000 direct jobs in rural Sindh and positively impacted around 50,000 households per sugar mill, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening local economies.

Beyond job creation, Majid’s initiatives have generated substantial revenue for both the federal and provincial governments, enhancing public services and infrastructure development. His commitment to economic sustainability continues to set new benchmarks in industrial growth and corporate responsibility.

Philanthropy and social welfare

Majid’s vision extends beyond business success. He has made significant contributions to social development, particularly in healthcare, education, employment and environmental sustainability.

Omni Group’s ongoing series of free medical camps, a humanitarian initiative, has brought essential healthcare services to some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable and underserved communities. Personally overseen by Majid himself, these one-day camps have been organised across remote villages in Sindh, offering free consultations, diagnostic tests and medicines to people who would otherwise have no access to such care.

In Oct 26, 2024, Tando Allahyar, a post-flood medical camp treated over 951 patients with careful planning that included separate areas for women and tuberculosis screening. At Naudero Sugar Mills on Sept 14, 2024, the initiative stood as a symbol of equality serving men, women and children alike without discrimination. The Ansari Sugar Mills camp on Nov 25, 2024 treated over 800 patients in a single day, while the New Dadu Sugar Mills camp on Dec 16, 2024 cared for 1,000 individuals. In Jan 14, 2025, at Bawany Sugar Mills, the camp uncovered widespread skin conditions in the local population, highlighting the importance of access to basic care. Most recently, the Khoski Medical Camp on Feb 13, 2025, offered hundreds of patients free testing and treatment on the special instruction of Majid.

Education and skills development

Majid believes in empowering future generations through education. Omni Group funds schools and vocational training centers in underprivileged areas, equipping children and adults with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives.

Through strategic industrial projects, Majid has created thousands of stable jobs, significantly improving the economic conditions of rural communities. His dedication to social upliftment has provided countless individuals with opportunities for a better future.

Omni Group has integrated sustainable practices into its business operations, with Thatta Cement Company Limited (TCCL) implementing a Waste Heat Recovery system and utilising solar energy. Majid has also pioneered eco-friendly initiatives such as a tissue culture lab to enhance sugarcane yield and bio-fertiliser production from sugar mill by-products, reducing environmental impact and water usage in agriculture.

Humanitarian efforts in times of crisis

Majid’s philanthropy shines brightest in times of adversity. During natural disasters, he has led extensive relief efforts, providing food, shelter and medical aid to displaced families. In Naudero, Dadu and Tando Allayar, Omni Group supported 6,000 families for eight months until they were fully rehabilitated. Additionally, the group has established wells and RO Plants in Thar, Badin and Thatta, supplying clean drinking water to thousands of families in water-scarce regions.

Majid also sponsors scholarships and financial aid for deserving students, ensuring that the children of Omni Group employees have access to quality education. His commitment to human welfare has left a mark on countless lives.

A legacy of excellence

Today, Omni Group stands as a leading industrial conglomerate in Pakistan, impacting its economy with contributions spanning multiple sectors and uplifting communities across the country. The nomination of Majid for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Pakistan’s economic and social development. As Pakistan moves forward, Majid’s legacy remains a beacon of hope and progress.

This content is produced in paid partnership with Omni Group.