Brief Profile: Yahya Polani

Jumbo Editorial Team

Yahya Polani is the Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP), having served the trade body previously as its Central Vice Chairman. He has been the Chairman of Standing Committee on Aviation, Tourism, Hajj and Umrah of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

He is the Managing Director of Polani’s Group whose associated companies are Polani’s Travel, Polani`s Money Exchange, Polani`s International (GSA`s), Polani`s Aviation (Central Reservation System), MKR Polani`s Tavel Bangladesh and Polani`s Travel London.

Headquartered in Karachi, Polani`s has a network of 24 sales outlets, having offices in Lahore, Islamabad, London and Dhaka besides being represented in USA, South Africa, Far East, Middle East and Europe.

Yahya Polani had started his journey with business from electric lights decoration but switched over to travel line soon. He had a modest beginning in 1973 with a small office on M A Jinnah Road. He expanded the business and relocated his office to I I Chundrigar Road within a couple of years.

After setting up Polani Travel, he established its subsidiary organizations subsequently one after another as he believed that the best formula of successful business was diversification. His philosophy has worked for him and he has gone from strength to strength.

Yahya Polani on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“The Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) welcomes the publication of a comprehensive travel guide of Karachi in which invaluable information has been put together between its covers by a group of seasoned journalists.”

”Travel guides like these go a long way in the promotion of tourism. The tourists are always on the lookout for this kind of information ideally at the time when they plan their trip to the destination. They also value such handy material during the course of their tour in order to make the most of their stay there.”

”We are pleased to offer support to Jumbo Karachi Guide, a book that could be helpful in so many ways. The tourism and travel information including facts, maps, history, culture and weather in Karachi makes it a worthy book. We wish Jumbo Infomedia the very best of luck and assure them our support in achieving our mutual objective of putting Pakistan back on the travel map of the world.”

Brief Profile: Mir Shahjahan Khetran

Jumbo Editorial Team

Mir Shahjahan Khetran, an ex-diplomat, is a highly qualified, learned and dynamic personality with vast and diverse experience. He was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in April 2011.

Hailing from Balochistan, he did his graduation from prestigious Government College (GC) University Lahore. After that he joined Bell College of Cambridge and successfully completed his DEL from there. He obtained Master degree in Political Science from University of the Punjab. He has served as first Economic Minister of Pakistan at Saudi Arabia from 1995 to 1997.

He has expertise in capital markets of Pakistan having vast experience in financial products and investments. He is member of the Islamabad Stock Exchange since its inception and is well conversant with various sectors of national economy. He remained Chairman of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) from August 2009 to March 2011.

After taking over as the chief of the PTDC, he has been working proactively to revive tourism, firmly believing that Pakistan’s immense tourism potential has yet to be exploited to reasonable extent.

He has devised strategies to promote Pakistan’s rich and diverse culture which is considered quite attractive for foreigners with the festivals like Shandoor, Sibi Mela, Besakhi and Urs at Shabaz Qalandar attracting thousands of tourists from abroad. He has also been highlighting the country’s archaeological and historic sites which enjoy distinct position in the world as it has more high peaks than any other country.

Mir Shahjahan Khetran on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) recognizes and appreciates the efforts of a team of seasoned journalists for having taken up the initiative of bringing out a tourist book on Karachi.”

“There has certainly been a vacuum in this particular area and they are doing a great job that could be considered as a service to the nation. These kinds of books are greatly helpful in attracting international tourists.”

“We are more than glad in extending our support to them in carrying out this venture as this would be a handy publicity and promotional material for distribution at home and abroad. We wish Jumbo Infomedia all the best and assure them our best possible support in achieving our cherished goal of boosting Pakistan’s tourism.”

Brief Profile: Senator Haji Ghulam Ali

Jumbo Editorial Team

Senator Haji Ghulam Ali served as the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) in 2011. He was elected as a member of Senate of Pakistan for a six-year term in 2009.

He is a Director of Board of National Productivity Organization (NPO), Government of Pakistan, and Khyber Eye Foundation Gulbahar, Peshawar.He is also President of the Net Ball Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Body Building Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He was elected as Chairman of the Standing Committee Information & Broadcasting in Senate for a period of three years (2009 to 2012). He has been a member of the Senate’s Standing Committees of Social Welfare and Special Education, Textile Industry, Commerce, Local Government and Rural Development.

Besides being the Founder President of Tribal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, he was elected the Mayor of Peshawar (District Nazim) in 2005 and held office until 2009. He served as Municipal Councilor from 1983 to 1990.

A graduate in Arts from the University of Peshawar, he is the Managing Director of Aleeza Traders, Ali Enterprises and Deluxe Hotel having interests in import and trading of silk yarn, real estate development, tourism and hospitality.

Senator Haji Ghulam Ali on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) recognizes and appreciates the efforts of team of seasoned journalist for taking the initiatives of bringing out a guide book on Karachi.”

“Such guide books are quite common in developed countries and they are considered highly useful in facilitating the business community. It’s very heartening that such a book is now also being published in Pakistan. This book will be immensely helpful in assisting the overseas entrepreneurs searching for local partners. Such efforts also go a long way in promoting the soft image of the country and they deserve the support of the business fraternity.”

“We are more than glad to support Jumbo Karachi Guide, a book to be the first of its kind in Pakistan, which we consider a handy publication that could be used as promotional material for distribution at home and abroad. We wish Jumbo Infomedia all the best and assure them of our best possible support in accomplishing the cherished goal of boosting Pakistan’s tourism and trade.”

Brief Profile: Saleem Mandviwalla

Jumbo Editorial Team

Saleem Mandviwalla, as Chairman, is credited to have brought the Board of Investment (BoI) to the position it was envisioned. He has also succeeded to make it independent and autonomous and vibrant organization.

Under his leadership, the BoI has dealt with the issues concerning the investors, both local and foreign, who are being facilitated by a phone call rather than being frustrated by the red-tape. He has understood how important it’s to let them know that the BoI was there to help them, having brought out revolutionary changes which never happened before.

A graduate from the Fort Worth School of Aviation in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, he comes from a well known business family which has been engaged in the real estate business in Karachi and other cities of Pakistan since 1920. The family expanded their line of business in different trades locally and internationally and own businesses in manufacturing, media and automotive sectors.

Saleem Mandviwalla was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Investment (BoI) and Minister of State for Investment, in October 2008. Prior to his appointment, he was the President of the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce in Lasbela, Balochistan.

He was always been active in the chambers. He was involved in the chamber activities and in the interactions with the government for a long time. He was assigned the role of heading the BoI because the government desired somebody from the private sector to put some life in it.

Saleem Mandviwalla on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“We recognize and appreciate the efforts of a team of seasoned journalists for having taken up the initiative of bringing out a guide book on Karachi. Such guide books are quite common in developed countries and they are considered highly useful tools in facilitating the business community. It’s very heartening that such a book is now also being published from Pakistan.”

“This book will be immensely helpful in assisting the overseas entrepreneurs in particular who are searching for local partners. Such efforts also go a long way in promoting the soft image of the country and they deserve the support of the business fraternity.”

“We are more than glad to support Jumbo Karachi Guide, a book to be the first of its kind in Pakistan, which we considered a handy publication that could be used as promotional material for distribution at home and abroad. We wish Jumbo Infomeda all the best and assure our best possible support in achieving our mutual objective of boosting Pakistan’s trade and tourism.”

Brief Profile: Architect Yasmeen Lari

Jumbo Editorial Team

Architect Yasmeen Lari holds the distinction of being the first chairperson of Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP, besides being a past President of Institute of Architects Pakistan, and a Fellow of US-based Ashoka, the well-known international social entrepreneur organization.

She also happened to be the first woman architect of Pakistan. After schooling at Lahore, Pakistan, she graduated from Oxford School of Architecture (Oxford Brookes University) and was elected Member of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

In recognition of her services to the architectural profession and heritage conservation, she was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan. She has also received UN Recognition Award for promotion of culture and peace. Her profile was published by UNESCO among 60 women internationally who have contributed most towards its objectives.

As principal of Lari Associates, Architects, Urban Designers from 1964 to 2000 she designed a large number of state of the art buildings for the upper circuit along with work in informal settlements, low income housing and vernacular technologies for the lower circuit.

As head of Heritage Foundation, Architect Yasmeen Lari has been instrumental in saving some unique heritage treasures of Pakistan. She has authored and co-authored several monographs and publications on history and heritage.

Architect Yasmeen Lari on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“In this information age it’s vitally important to have access to a product that could serve the purpose within the blink of an eye. I think it was high time to come up with a handy publication like Jumbo Karachi Guide that provides literally a complete picture of the city. I consider it as a niche product that’s here to stay.”

“Such initiatives should be welcomed as they could also be used to promote the soft image of the city as well as the country. It’s heartening that its editors have covered numerous subjects which are of considerable interest to the foreigners and the natives.”

“I have gone through the contents of Jumbo Karachi Guide and found it a worthy effort. They have put together almost every ingredient that’s needed in a travel guide. I reckon that they will be able to bring its updated editions in future with added information and even better contents.”

Brief Profile: Professor Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui

Jumbo Editorial Team

Professor Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui has emerged as one of the leading lights of the social scene in Karachi during the last few years in particular. His name has become synonymous with the Arts Council of Pakistan where he has emerged triumphant in every election he has contested.

Although he hails from the field of education, he has made a name for himself in sports and cultural arena. Besides being a proactive Secretary of the Arts Council, he came into limelight at the national level while protecting the rights of the local cricketers loudly and clearly while serving as the Secretary of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA).

Prior to his election as the Secretary of the KCCA, he had distinguished himself in the field of cricket administration by rewriting the history. A record number of tournaments were organized at the club level during his tenure as the Chairman of the KCCA Zone II which he headed with distinction for over three years.

Be it sports, culture or education, he has the knack of delivering more often than not. His philosophy of promoting merit at all cost has earned him impeccable reputation and he commands respect from all quarters.

A firm believer of professional management, he has set certain examples which may be difficult to follow for his successors. By taking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on matter of principles, the soft-spoken professor taught a few lessons to those who took him lightly.

Professor Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui on Jumbo Karachi Guide

Jumbo Editorial Team

“The Arts Council of Pakistan is recognized the world over for having brought about a cultural revolution. We have been looking forward to the publication of Jumbo Karachi Guide being compiled by a team of seasoned journalists and it will surely be helpful in soft image of this magnificent city.”

“Let me place on record my sincere greetings to the editors and the entire team of Jumbo Karachi Guide on bringing out such an outstanding book. Their enthusiasm and participation besides commitment are reflected in this high quality publication.”

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. It has taken them a few years to turn the dream into reality and they have laid the foundation for coming up with even better editions of Jumbo Karachi Guide in future.”