Aqeel Karim Dhedhi

Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (born 1957) is a Pakistani business tycoon who is the Chairman of the AKD Group.^[1] The range of services is financial services, telecom, infrastructure, manufacturing and natural resources.^[2]

Early life and career

Dhedhi's father was Haji Abdul Karim Dhedhi, a prominent businessman. His family are Gujarati Memons who migrated to Pakistan in 1946, originating from Junagadh.^[3] Dhedhi completed his schooling at Karachi. Dhedhi initiated his career by taking part in export business with his brother. He started cotton business projects when he was in seventh class. He started trading at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in 1976. in 1984, he built his own office in Karachi Stock Exchange.

Karachi Stock Exchange

Dhedhi has been a stockbroker at the KSE since 1986. Prior to this, he spent 13 years managing his father’s brokerage commercial projects. He was on the board of the KSE in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001. Dhedhi is also a member of the Lahore Stock Exchange.^[4]

Awards

Dhedhi was awarded the "Sitara-e-Esaar" by then president Gen. Pervez Musharraf for his services during the devastating earthquake that hit the northern areas of Pakistan in October 2005. He has also been awarded honorary PhD (Honoris Cause) degrees by private institutes like Biztek Institute of Higher Education and the Indus Institute of Higher Education.

Charity work

Dhedhi is involved with groups including community based assistance, health services, leadership development of deserving younger generation, and women empowerment.^[5] He is a trustee and member of the Board of Directors of The Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital; The Indus Hospital; World Memon Organization and the Resource Development Committee of Agha Khan University Hospital. He also takes interest in health services, women empowerment, leadership development of young generation and community based assistance.

References