Pakistan, a country rich in culture and history, is also home to a number of highly successful entrepreneurs and business magnates who have amassed impressive fortunes. These individuals have made their mark across various industries, from real estate and textiles to technology and telecommunications.
Their journeys to success are not only a testament to their hard work and business acumen but also reflect the economic potential and opportunities that Pakistan offers. Despite challenges such as political instability and economic fluctuations, these billionaires have built thriving empires, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and global influence.
In this article, we explore the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, delving into the industries they dominate, the strategies behind their success, and how they continue to shape the business landscape both locally and internationally. The top 5 richest people in Pakistan have built their fortunes across various industries. Their stories are not just about wealth, but about vision, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. Stay with us as we uncover the journeys of Pakistan’s richest and their lasting impact on the nation’s economy.
1. Shahid Khan (Net Worh = $8.3 Billion)
Shahid Khan, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, a Pakistani-born American businessman, was declared the richest man in Pakistan in 2024 with an impressive net worth of $8.3 billion. Born in 1950 into a middle-class family in Lahore, Khan’s journey to wealth and success is truly inspiring. In 1967, he moved to the United States for higher studies, where his first job was washing dishes in a local restaurant for just over $1 an hour. This humble beginning didn’t hold him back but instead fueled his determination to succeed.
In 1978, Shahid Khan, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, took his first big step towards success by starting his own company, where he created one-piece car bumpers for customized pickup trucks and body shop repairs. Just two years later, in 1980, Khan bought Flex-N-Gate Corporation, a company where he had initially worked as an engineering director. Under his leadership, Flex-N-Gate grew rapidly and now operates 66 plants and employs over 24,000 people worldwide.
Beyond his success in manufacturing, Khan’s influence extends to the world of sports. He is the proud owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C., an English Premier League soccer team. His name has also appeared on Forbes’ 2019 Billionaires list, where he ranked 61st among the world’s richest individuals. In addition, Khan ventured into the world of entertainment by launching All Elite Wrestling (AEW) with his son Tony Khan, a major player in professional wrestling.
Although Shahid Khan is of Pakistani descent, he proudly considers himself an American. He became a U.S. citizen over 20 years ago, married an American, and raised his family in the United States. His deep connection to America extends beyond business and into the political arena. In 2016, Khan supported Donald Trump’s presidency by voting for him and even donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.
Shahid Khan’s story, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, is one of hard work, resilience, and vision. From washing dishes to becoming a billionaire, he serves as an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and drive, anything is possible.
2. Sir Anwar Pervez: (Net Worth = $4.72 Billion)
Sir Anwar Pervez, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, a self-made billionaire with a net worth of $4.72 billion, is the founder of the Bestway Group, one of the largest privately-owned businesses in the UK. His journey from humble beginnings to incredible success is a true testament to hard work and vision. Born into a farming family in a small village called Thatti, Pakistan, Pervez grew up in modest surroundings. His father worked as a subsistence wheat farmer, and in 1956, young Anwar left his village in search of better opportunities, making his way to the UK and thus become one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
Upon arriving in London, Pervez took on a job as a telephone operator with the state-owned telecommunications company. However, his ambitions extended far beyond that. Spotting a gap in the market, he opened his first small convenience store named “Kashmir” in Earl’s Court, London. This modest beginning set the stage for what would become a flourishing business empire.
From that one store, Sir Anwar built the Bestway Group, which is now the UK’s second-largest wholesale cash and carry operator and the third-largest retail pharmacy chain. Over the decades, he has expanded his business into various sectors, including cement manufacturing and banking, both in the UK and abroad. Today, Bestway Group is recognized as a key player in the wholesale and retail industries, employing thousands of people.
Despite his extraordinary success, Sir Anwar has never forgotten his roots. He remains connected to his homeland, contributing to charitable causes in Pakistan and the UK. His story is one of resilience, opportunity, and dedication, proving that with hard work and determination, one can overcome humble beginnings to achieve global success and one can land among one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
3. Sadruddin Hashwani: (Net worth = $4.1 Billion)
Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, the founder and chairman of the Hashoo Group, is one of Pakistan’s leading business figures with a net worth of $4.1 billion. Hailing from a well-established industrialist family in Karachi, Hashwani’s rise to success is built on decades of hard work, strategic decisions, and an entrepreneurial spirit that pushed him to explore new ventures.
His journey in business began in the 1960s when he and his brother entered the trading industry. By the 1970s, the Hashwani family had earned the title of “Cotton Kings of Pakistan,” becoming a dominant force in the cotton trade before nationalization altered the country’s business landscape and thus become one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
In the 1970s, Hashwani opened his first hotel under the Holiday Inn brand in Islamabad, which is now the renowned Marriot Hotel. His success in the capital led him to expand, and in 1981, he launched another Marriot Hotel in Karachi. His major breakthrough in the hospitality sector came in 1985 when he secured a winning bid for the majority shares in Pakistan Services Limited, a company that owned four Inter-Continental hotels in the country.
Mr. Hashwani’s ventures extend beyond hospitality, but it’s his ability to adapt and grow that has made him a respected name in Pakistan’s business world. His story is one of resilience, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It depicts how with these virtues, one can fall in the list of one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
4. Asif Ali Zardari (Net Worth = $1.8 Billion)
Asif Ali Zardari, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, with a net worth of $1.8 billion, stands among the wealthiest individuals in Pakistan. Best known for his political career, Zardari served as Pakistan’s 11th President from 2008 to 2013 and is currently the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). However, his wealth and influence extend beyond politics as he also become one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
Zardari’s life took a dramatic turn after the tragic assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto, who served as Prime Minister in the 1990s. Following her death, he rose to prominence in national politics and became Pakistan’s president, steering the country through challenging times.
What makes Zardari’s wealth even more notable is that his publicly known net worth doesn’t include several high-profile properties. These include estates in Surrey, London’s West End, a 16th-century chateau in Normandy, a condominium in Manhattan’s prestigious Belaire Apartments, and holdings in Dubai.
5. Malik Riaz (Net Worth = $1.5 Billion)
Malik Riaz, one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan, Pakistan’s most prominent real estate tycoons, is the visionary behind the Bahria Group. His journey to success is one of perseverance, ambition, and determination. Born into a family where his father’s contracting business struggled, Riaz faced financial hardships early on. Due to the ups and downs in the family’s business, he had to stop his education after completing his Matriculation. To make ends meet, he started working as a clerk with the Military Engineering Service.
It was during his time there that Riaz built valuable connections and learned the intricacies of the system. His experience and networking laid the foundation for his future ventures. In 1995, he established his own construction company under the banner of Hussain Global. This marked the beginning of his rise in the real estate world.
A key turning point in Riaz’s career came when he signed an agreement with the charitable arm of the Pakistan Navy, the Bahria Foundation, to create a gated community, which eventually became the famous Bahria City. Over time, as his vision grew, the entire shareholding of the project was transferred to Malik Riaz by the Pakistan Navy in the 2000s, firmly establishing him as the driving force behind one of Pakistan’s largest and most successful real estate empires.
Today, Malik Riaz is not just a business magnate but a symbol of how perseverance and strategic thinking can turn humble beginnings into extraordinary success and how one can become one of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan.
Thus, each of the top 5 richest people in Pakistan has a unique success story.
