Head of the Ali family, Syed Wajid Ali, passed away on Saturday. He was laid to rest at Mayani Sahib graveyard here on Sunday. A large number of relatives, industrialists, political personalities, elite of the city and friends attended his Namaz-e-Janaza, besides his family.
He was born on December 20, 1911 in Lahore. He was the third son of Sir Syed Maratib Ali. He received his early education in Lahore and studied at the Government College. He then joined the Indian Army as a Commissioned Officer and was on duty during the Second World War.
To look after the growing business of the Ali family, he left the Army to join the family business in the early 40s. The Ali family was staunch supporters of the Pakistan Movement and Syed Wajid Ali got to know the Quaid-e-Azam very closely. He used to assist the Quaid in his political work and also got to know Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah quite well. Due to his close association with the Quaid and hard work for the Muslim League, he was nominated on a three-member Committee on behalf of the Muslim League to oversee the referendum in the North West Frontier Province.
AS AN INDUSTRIALIST:
He established and managed many industrial concerns. Among his major projects was Ali Automobiles - a Ford car manufacturing unit, which was taken over by the Government in 1973.
He also set up and managed Abbasi Textile Mills Limited, Rahim Yar Khan in 1945. This Unit was wound up in 1997. In his other industrial activities, he held the following positions: Chairman & Managing Director, Packages Limited; Chairman, Treet Corporation Limited; Chairman, Zulfeqar Industries Limited; Chairman, Loads Limited - manufacturers of radiators and exhaust systems for vehicles; and Chairman, Wazir Ali Industries Limited - manufacturers of Tullo Ghee & Cooking oil.
SERVICE TO THE RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT:
His activities in the health sector included his efforts in founding Liaquat National Hospital in 1953 of which he was Chairman. This not-for-profit hospital in Karachi has 700 beds and is dedicated to provide the most modern facilities to humanity, especially the poor.
Among his other contributions in the area of health include his association and service to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society where he served as its Chairman from 1968 to 1998. Since 1998, he was Vice President Emeritus of this important relief movement.Syed Maratib Ali was the Chairman of Gulab Devi Hospital from 1947 till his demise in 1961. During his leadership, Gulab Devi established another Unit in Kasur.
SERVICE TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT:
His dedication to sports has been exemplary and goes a long way to 1948 when he joined Pakistan Olympic Association as its President and remained in this position till 2004.
Among his great contributions to the Pakistan Olympic Association was the financing and creation of the Olympic Museum, which is the first of its kind in the whole of the sub-continent. Most of the artifacts in the Museum are donated by Syed Wajid Ali.
SERVICE TO CULTURE & ARTS:
He became the Chairman of The All Pakistan Music Conference in 1960. The Conference introduced and promoted many classical singers and performers who continue to entertain people. The activities of the All Pakistan Music Conference are regular and of good quality.
On another scale, he envisioned and established the Institute of Islamic Culture in 1952. The Institute of which he was Chairman promotes harmony among various Islamic scholars and peoples by publishing various books and articles of famous scholars.-PR
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