The legacy lives on. This is when the journey of an advertising legend begins. Born in 1935 Syed Haseen Hashmi was the son of renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Abdul Quddus Hashmi. S.H. Hashmi migrated to Pakistan with his family having just twenty rupees in his pocket and dreams in his eyes. He was a family man, a great husband and a loving father.
Under his leadership Orient grew from strength to strength to become the largest advertising agency in Pakistan, sailing through rough waters with impeccable ease. One award after another was given in recognition of the untiring efforts of S.H. Hashmi and his team which today has made Orient the largest Ad agency in Pakistan.
APNS Best Business Performance Award for consecutive years - FPCCI Gold Medal from the President of Pakistan. He was also honoured with the exclusive APNS Millennium Award. For his impeccable services in advertising he received Pride of Performance Award from the Government of Pakistan. S.H. Hashmi was an ardent fan of art and culture.
He strived hard to give a solid platform for the budding artistes in Pakistan. Due to his unstinted services he was elected as the head of the Arts Council for three terms. He also remained the elected President of Pakistan Advertising Association for numerous years.
S.H. Hashmi had an inherent love for Pakistan and Urdu and formed various organisations and foundations to give Urdu its lost glory. Baba-e-Urdu Foundation and Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu are the most notable in addition to his countless efforts. He introduced Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Award for M.A. Urdu studends and Hamid Nizami Award for M.A. Mass Communication students.
In recognition of his services in the filed of advertising and marketing College of Business Management awarded him an honorary degree of Doctorate in Philosophy. He was at the helm of countless educational, health and welfare organisations, scholarships, schools, hospitals and welfare trusts were just a few of his known acts of positive pride.
In recognition of his social services to the society S.H. Hashmi became the sole advertising professional to receive the highest ranking Civil Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan. S.H. Hashmi left for heavenly abode on March 20, 2006. However, his legacy lives on as Orient Advertising has won APNS Best Business Performance Award for consecutive 19 years.