Hajj Excellence Award celebrations were held in Karachi as Pakistan’s business community honoured Affan Zeeshan, Chief Executive Officer of Al Khair Hajj Group (AKHG) and Al Mairaj Group, after his organisation became the first private Hajj operator from Pakistan to receive Saudi Arabia’s prestigious No. 1 Global Hajj Excellence (LABAYTUM) Award.
The recognition marks the first time a Pakistani private Hajj group has secured the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s highest international honour for excellence in Hajj services. The achievement was also recognised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who presented Affan Zeeshan with the Shield of Excellence in appreciation of bringing international recognition to Pakistan.
A special dinner was hosted in Karachi by Danish Aman, Chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association, leather exporter and philanthropist, to celebrate the milestone.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi attended the event as chief guest, while former finance minister Miftah Ismail participated as guest of honour. Dr Abdul Bari, Chairman of Indus Hospital, addressed the gathering, and Brigadier Yaqoob Awan attended as another guest of honour.
The organising committee included Acting FPCCI President Saqib Fayaz Maggu, former FPCCI President Zubair Tufail, KATI President Ikram Rajput, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, former KATI President Mian Zahid Hussain, Pakistan Stock Exchange Director Ahmed Chinoy, Defence Residents Society General Secretary Amir Chura, Pakistan Awam Party General Secretary Shariq Chawla, Pakistan Flour Mills Association Vice President Adnan Abrar, Azm-e-Pakistan member Fahad Ilyas Nainitalwala and CPLC Central Reporting Cell Assistant Chief Taimoor Siddiqui.
The event attracted leading industrialists, exporters, bankers, airline executives, diplomats, senior military officials, media representatives and members of the business community, including the Consuls General of the Philippines and Afghanistan.
Speakers described the award as a landmark achievement for Pakistan, noting that more than 1.7 million pilgrims performed Hajj this year while thousands of Hajj operators from around the world participated in the annual pilgrimage operations. They said the recognition highlights Pakistan’s growing ability to deliver world-class Hajj services and strengthens the country’s international reputation.
Participants congratulated Affan Zeeshan and his team, saying national achievements that enhance Pakistan’s global image deserve broad recognition and support. The event concluded with prayers for Pakistan’s continued progress and future international successes.
