PERSONALITY: Ghulam Faruque
Khan (1899-1992) - An Industrialist and politician |
The
late Khan Bahadur Ghulam Faruque Khan (1899–1992) was a politician
and industrialist of Pakistan. He belonged to the village Shaidu in
Nowshera District, Nowshera is the home of the famous Pashtun Tribe
the Khattaks of the NWFP Province in Pakistan. Because of his
contribution to Pakistan's Industrial development he is sometimes
described as "The Goliath who Industrialized Pakistan".
Before the partition of India, he was the General Manager of the
East Indian Railways from 1945-1947.
During Partition he distinguished himself in negotiating with the
Indians over the division of assets.
At the time of independence in 1947, when Pakistan had no industrial
base, Ghulam Faruque set up the Pakistan Industrial Development
Corporation (PIDC), which used to set up industries with government
money and then subsequently handed them over to the private sector.
This was a highly successful venture which was vital to the
establishment of the military, defence and manufacturing industries
in Pakistan, including the establishment of the Pakistan Ordnance
Factories, of which he was later chairman.
Up until 1960 there was not much electricity in Pakistan, Ghulam
Faruque was again entrusted the task and set up the 'Water and Power
Development Authority', which realized the potential of Pakistans
tremendous waterpower resources and built a number of large
hydro-electric dams around the country. He was also responsible for
the implementation of the Indus Water Treaty.
He later held government posts, such as Governor of East Pakistan
(1962); Federal Minister for Commerce and Defence Advisor (1965-67);
Chairman Investment Corporation of Pakistan; Secretary, Ministry of
Industries; NWFP Provincial Minister for Finance, Planning and
Development.
He also held Posts in the National Assembly, Federal Council and
Senate.
Ghulam Faruque ran his own businesses alongside his responsibilities
in the government. He founded the 'Ghulam Faruque Group' in 1947,
which has diversified interests in Cement, Sugar, Construction,
Engineering and Shipping and ranks amongst the most prominent
commercial and industrial houses in Pakistan and is recognised for
its entrepreneurial skills and valuable contribution to the economy.
The group is now managed by his family.
He was awarded the following honors for his services:
Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 1944
Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire, 1946
Commander of the Order of Merit, Spain, 1956
Hilal-e-Pakistan, 1958 |