Principal groups and companies in Pakistan

Pakistan’s business world is full of major companies and groups that have shaped the country’s industries and businesses. In addition to contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth, these influential players have also made a name for themselves on a global scale. Whether it’s the Arif Habib Group in finance or the Nishat Group in textiles, these companies have had a lasting impact on Pakistan’s economy. For this article, our analysts at Tashheer have compiled a list of the top 8 companies in Pakistan.

8 biggest industrial groups in Pakistan in 2024

Company Head Office Assets (2023) Industry

Pakistan State Oil Karachi US$4.2 billion Petroleum
Arif Habib Group Karachi US$1 Billion Conglomerate
Engro Pakistan Lahore US$4.8 billion Fertilizers
Nishat Group Lahore US$6 billion Conglomerate
House of Habib Karachi US$1 billion Conglomerate
Fauji Foundation Rawalpindi US$4 billion Conglomerate
Hashoo Group Karachi US$3.8 billion Conglomerate
Dawood Hercules Karachi US$1.7 billion Investment

Company name: Arif Habib Corporation

Pakistan’s Arif Habib Corporation Limited, or the Arif Habib Group, is a major business group. It was established in Karachi and founded by a well-known businessman named Arif Habib. It began operations in 1970 as a capital markets company, focusing on brokerage services. It was formalised as Arif Habib Securities in 1994. By 2006, Rupali Bank had been renamed Arif Habib Bank. By 2007, it had become a major financial services conglomerate in Pakistan. The bank ran into difficulties during the global financial crisis of 2008. It sold the bank in 2009, which subsequently merged with Summit Bank. In late 2010, it merged an investment subsidiary with MCB Asset Management, forming MCB-Arif Habib Savings and Investments Limited. The company now has a diversified portfolio of 13 companies in real estate, financial services, energy, cement, steel and fertiliser production. By 2012, it employed more than 11,000 people and had an annual turnover of 100 billion rupees.

Pakistan State Oil

The Pakistan State Oil, often referred to as PSO, is a large state-owned company based in Karachi, Pakistan. Its key mission is to sell and deliver petroleum products. It owns a large number of service stations, 3,689 to be exact. These include 3,500 for private customers and 189 for major customers. Pakistan Petroleum Services (PSO) is the largest fuel sales company in Pakistan. PSO has an impressive 3,500 service stations, surpassing competitors such as Cnergyico, Total Parco Pakistan Ltd. and Shell Pakistan Ltd. Established in 1976, PSO has made history by achieving a turnover of PKR 1 trillion. It is a member of the World Economic Forum since 2003 and is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. PSO achieved a major milestone in 2023 when it opened an aircraft refuelling facility at Skardu International Airport. PSO is the only Pakistani oil company to provide services in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Engro Corporation

Headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan, Engro Corporation began operations in 1965 as a fertiliser company and has since grown to become one of the country’s largest conglomerates. With over 2,800 employees, Engro manages investments in a variety of sectors, including fertiliser, power generation, telecommunications infrastructure, petrochemicals, mining, food, LNG and chemical storage. The Engro Corporation operates in five vertical sectors: Food and Agriculture, Energy and Related Infrastructure, Petrochemicals, Telecommunications Infrastructure and International Trade. It was the first Pakistani company to sign up to the United Nations Global Compact and use the Global Reporting Initiative framework.

Nishat Group

Groupe Nishat is a large Pakistani company with many different activities. It was established in 1951 by Mian Muhammad Yahya and is now headed by Mian Muhammad Mansha. The company is vertically integrated, which means that it controls all stages of the production process, from the supply of raw materials to the distribution of finished products. The head office is in Lahore, Pakistan. Companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange are part of the Nishat Group.

House of Habib

His House of Habib is a large Pakistani company located in Karachi. It was created by Habib Esmail in Bombay (British Raj) in 1841. His company is known as an important business family, particularly in Pakistan’s Shia Muslim community. Its history dates back to the 19th century, when it was established as a family business under the name Khoja Mithabhai Nathoo in Bombay in 1841. By 1891, family member Habib Esmail had played a key role in the company’s development. Over the years, it grew into a major trading company.

Fauji Foundation

Fondation Fauji, also known as Groupe Fauji, is a large Pakistani company involved in various activities such as fertilisers, cement, food, power generation, gas exploration, marketing and distribution of LPG, financial services and security services. The name ‘Fauji’ comes from an Arabic word meaning ‘soldier’. It was set up to provide employment for retired Pakistani military personnel and to raise funds to help the widows and families of soldiers who have sacrificed their lives. Created in 1954 as a charitable foundation, the Fauji Foundation operates on its own income. It runs on its own income and devotes around 80% of the profits from its activities to programmes that help around 7% of the country’s population. Since its creation, the foundation has spent over 23.8 billion rupees in areas such as healthcare, education, scholarships and vocational training.

Hashoo Group

Group Hashoo is a leading Pakistani conglomerate, active in the hotel and oil and gas sectors. It was founded in 1960 by Saddaruddin Hashwani in Karachi and has since grown to become a major player in various sectors. Originally, the Hashoo Group started in 1960 as Hassan Ali & Company, a trading company based in the port of Karachi. Nowadays, the group is best known for its dominant position in the Pakistani hotel industry. It has a majority stake in Pakistan Services ltd, which operates the Pearl Continental hotels in Pakistan and also owns the Marriot hotels. The Group supports a number of CSR initiatives, including education, healthcare and environmental protection.

David Hercules Corporation

The company is the flagship company of the Dawood Hercules Group, a family with a long history of success in business for more than a hundred years. It invests in various sectors through its subsidiaries and associated companies. One of its subsidiaries is Engro Corporation Limited, a major business group in Pakistan. They use partnerships to grow their business and improve their ability to handle new projects. It is essentially an investment and holding company with its head office located in Karachi.

Pakistan’s major business groups and companies demonstrate the country’s ability to adapt and thrive globally. From major conglomerates to new players in technology and finance, these companies are playing a critical role in shaping Pakistan’s economy. Not only do they contribute to job creation and technological advancement, they also prioritize innovation and social responsibility. Such success stories are not only inspiring for budding entrepreneurs, but also highlight the potential for continued growth and development of Pakistan’s business sector.