Jahangir Siddiqui: A Visionary

Jahangir Siddiqui is one of the people who started a business as being a distributer of Coca Cola in Hyderabad just at the age of 14. He got inspired by one of his friends, who use to sell these bottles of Coca Cola on daily basis, subsequently following he decided to start his own business as well. Afterwards, he took some help from his father by selling his car and some coal stock to give an edge to his business.

In 1970, Jahangir Siddiqui started a small company called Jahangir Siddiqui & Co which essentially included of four people. Today, Jahangir Siddiqui & Co is one of the largest and well respected financial services companies in Pakistan with several subsidiaries which include Abamco, Pakistan’s largest non-government asset management company, Jahangir Siddiqui Capital Markets and Jahangir, Siddiqui Investment Bank.

Jahangir Siddiqui retired as CEO of JS Group in 1999 and since then, advised and chaired the boards of some key JS Group companies. While he was operationally involved in JS Group, he was responsible for establishing joint ventures with leading global firms for JS Group companies including those in securities broking with Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. and IFC, asset management with Invesco plc and IFC, health insurance with Allianz AG and Islamic banking with Dubai Bank PJSC.

He has been appointed by the Government of Pakistan as a member of the boards of a number of Government bodies including the Privatization Commission, Economic Advisory Board and the Exchange Reforms Committee. As a member of the Exchange Reforms Committee he was crucial in developing the plan through which Pakistan’s capital markets were opened up to foreign investors.

Jahangir Siddiqui has been associated with the Karachi Stock Exchange in various capacities including as President for two terms. During his terms he was able to introduce key initiatives including the establishment of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan (which made all settlements at all stock exchanges in Pakistan paperless).

He dedicates a significant amount of time and his wealth to philanthropic activities. In addition to his own charitable work through his family foundations, he works with a number of other organizations whose causes he supports. As Chairman of the Board of Trustees Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh he is responsible for the preservation of heritage and culture in Sindh province. He also serves on the boards of Institute of Business Management (IoBM) and Sukkur Institute of Business Administration.

Jahangir Siddiqui is playing a very strong role in changing the social order of our society by running a non-profit organization named as Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation. MJSF is a foundation with a goal to promote the economic development and to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by helping people in need reach their full potential.

The author is a Blogger, writing articles on social issues, business, finance, technology, startups and successful entrepreneurs.