Pakistan’s business scene is filled with big companies and groups that have shaped the country’s industries and businesses. These influential players not only helped Pakistan grow economically but also made a name for themselves globally. Whether it’s Arif Habib Group in finance or Nishat Group in textiles, these companies have made a lasting impact on Pakistan’s economy. In this article, our analysts at Tashheer have put together a list of the top 8 companies in Pakistan. These leading companies primarily operate in the petroleum, banking, construction, agriculture, and real estate sectors.

8 Industrially Biggest Groups in Pakistan in 2024

Explore the list of Pakistan’s largest business groups spanning various industries:

Arif Habib Corporation

Arif Habib Corporation Limited, or the Arif Habib Group, is a big business group in Pakistan. It started in Karachi and was founded by a famous businessman named Arif Habib. Initiated operations in 1970 as a capital markets firm, focusing on brokerage services. In 1994, formalized as Arif Habib Securities. In 2006, Rupali Bank was rebranded as Arif Habib Bank. By 2007, it became a significant financial services conglomerate in Pakistan. Faced challenges during the 2008 global financial crisis. In 2009, divested the bank, which later merged into Summit Bank. In 2010, merged an investment subsidiary with MCB Asset Management, forming MCB-Arif Habib Savings and Investments Limited. Presently, it consists of a diverse portfolio of 13 companies in real estate, financial services, energy, cement, steel, and fertilizer production. By 2012, it employed over 11,000 people and achieved an annual revenue of Rs. 100 billion.

Google rating (4.4)

Companies

Tashheer compiled a list of companies owned by the Arif Habib Group

Pakistan State Oil

Pakistan State Oil often called PSO, is a big government-owned company in Karachi, Pakistan. They do the important job of selling and delivering petroleum products. They have lots of gas stations about 3,689 to be exact. Out of these, 3,500 are for regular people and 189 are for big wholesale customers. PSO is the largest company in Pakistan that sells fuel. With an impressive 3,500 gas stations, PSO outshines competitors such as Cnergyico, Total Parco Pakistan Ltd., and Shell Pakistan Ltd. PSO, which was founded in 1976, achieved history by reaching PKR 1 trillion in revenue. It has been a member of the World Economic Forum since 2003 and is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. In 2023, PSO did something cool by opening an aircraft re-fueling facility at Skardu International Airport. This makes PSO the only oil company in Pakistan to provide services in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Google rating (4.4)

Subsidiaries of Pakistan State Oil

Engro Corporation

Engro Corporation, headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan, began as a fertilizer business in 1965 and has since grown into one of the country’s largest conglomerates. With over 2,800 employees, Engro manages investments in various sectors, including fertilizers, power generation, telecommunications infrastructure, petrochemicals, mining, food, LNG, and chemical storage. The Engro Corporation operates through five verticals: Food and agriculture, Energy and related Infrastructure, Petrochemicals, Telecommunication Infrastructure, and International Trading. Engro was the first company in Pakistan to join the UN Global Compact and use the Global Reporting Initiative framework.

Google rating (4.4)

Global Partnerships

Engro partnered with:

Collaborates with:

Subsidiaries  

Nishat Group

Nishat Group is a big company in Pakistan with many different businesses. It was started in 1951 by Mian Muhammad Yahya and is now led by Mian Muhammad Mansha. It is a vertically integrated company, which means that it controls all stages of the production process, from raw material sourcing to finished product distribution. The company’s main office is in Lahore, Pakistan. Nishat Group has several companies that are listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. One of its first businesses was Nishat Mills Faisalabad, a textile mill. In 2022, it made a profit of 520 million dollars. Nishat Group owns and operates several power plants in Pakistan, with a total capacity of approximately 1,800 megawatts.  This Group also has a number of investments in various industries, including oil and gas, telecommunications, and healthcare.

Google rating (4.1)

Companies

Listed Companies:

These famous companies from the Nishat Group are prominently listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange:

Unlisted Companies

Tashheer marketing team lists the names of all other companies of Nishat Groups which are not listed on the Pakistani Stock Exchange:

House of Habib

The House of Habib is a big company in Pakistan located in Karachi. It was started by Habib Esmail in Bombay (British Raj) in 1841. The House of Habib is known as an important business family, especially in the Shia Muslim community in Pakistan. The company’s story goes way back to the 19th century when it started as Khoja Mithabhai Nathoo in 1841 in Bombay, running as a family business. In 1891, a family member named Habib Esmail played a key role in making the company bigger. Over time, it became a major trading firm. In 1921, his four sons joined in, and that’s when Habib & Sons was formed, eventually becoming today’s HBL Pakistan or Habib Bank Limited.

Google rating (4.3)

Companies

The conglomerate includes the following companies:

Listed

Unlisted

Educational institutes

Fauji Foundation

Fauji Foundation, also known as Fauji Group, is a big company in Pakistan involved in various businesses like fertilizer, cement, food, power generation, gas exploration, LPG marketing and distribution, financial services, and security services. The name “Fauji” comes from an Arabic word that means “soldier.” The company was created to give jobs to retired Pakistani military personnel and to raise money to help widows and families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives. Fauji Foundation started as a charity trust in 1954. It runs on its own earnings and puts about 80% of the profits from its businesses into programs that help around 7% of the country’s population. Since it began, the Foundation has spent more than Rs. 23.8 billion on fields like healthcare, education, scholarships, and training for jobs.

Google rating (4.4)

Holding companies

Fully Owned

Subsidiaries

Hashoo Group

Hashoo Group is a leading Pakistani conglomerate actively involved in the hospitality and oil and gas sectors. Established in 1960 by Saddaruddin Hashwani in Karachi, it has grown to become a significant player in various industries. Hashoo Group started in 1960 as Hassan Ali & Company, a trading business based in Karachi Port. Today, this group is more known for its dominance in Pakistan’s Hotel Industry. This group has controlling stake in Pakistan Services ltd, which operates pearl continental hotels in Pakistan and also owns Marriot Hotels. The group supports a number of CSR initiatives, including education, healthcare, and environmental protection.

Google rating (4.4)

Awards Received by Hashoo Group

Murtaza Hashwani, Deputy Chairman, took the lead in 2016. In 2019, the group received three CSR awards for “Best CSR Practices,” “Women Welfare Empowerment & Development,” and “Education & Scholarships.”

Companies

Tours and Travels

Trading Companies

Dawood Hercules Corporation

Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited (DH Corp) is a company that’s listed on the stock exchange. It’s the main company for the Dawood Hercules Group, a family with a long history of business success for more than a hundred years. DH Corp invests in different sectors through its subsidiaries and associated companies. One of its subsidiaries, Engro Corporation Limited, is a major business group in Pakistan. They use partnerships to grow their businesses and improve their abilities to handle new projects. It is mainly an investment and holding company and its main office is in Karachi.

Google rating (4.4)

Shareholding

Associated Companies

Tashheer’s team found that Dawood Hercules Corporation is associated with some famous companies which include