ISLAMABAD: Leading figures from public life, literature, policy and business gathered on Friday to mark the 100th year of Syed Babar Ali at the launch of ‘Syed Babar Ali, A Centennial Tribute’, a book by Mohammad 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, says a press release.

Noted poet and intellectual, Iftikhar Arif mentioned his relationship with Syed Babar Ali and said, “People talk about his contributions to business, industry and education, but very few know 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.”

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb said he started his career with the Packages Group and under the mentorship of Syed Babar Ali and remained linked till 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.”

Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik recalled his initial interaction with Syed Babar Ali in the 1980s and said “Syed Babar Ali was a rare visionary who saw opportunities where no one else did. From industrial vision to sustainability, he was way ahead of his time.”

Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat said: “The world has many isolated success stories, but there are very few instances where durable institutions are established. Syed Babar Ali has the accolade of establishing not one but numerous such institutions.” Chairman, Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Nadeem Karamat said Syed Babar Ali was one of the architects of Pakistan’s financial landscape with his long engagement with the World Bank, IFC and Bank of America.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2026