Ittefaq Group

It was founded by seven brothers in 1939 as a small foundry.[3] Among the founders, the major contributions were made by the brothers Mian Barkat Ali and Muhammad Sharif. The word Ittefaq in some context means Unity in English language (implying unity among 7 founding brothers).[1][2]

The father of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (former Prime Minister), initially set up an iron-melting furnace in, Lahore and quickly expanded this business in the early years of Pakistan.[2]

Upto 1960, the company expanded internationally. During 1965, they were the largest exporters of steel in South Asia Region. By 1971, it was Pakistan's largest steel industry starting to make presence in steel industry in Pakistan.[4] In 1972, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto nationalized the steel industry, including the Ittefaq family business empire, as it was the biggest profit making industry for Pakistan 3— Ittefaq Group.[4]

After nationalising this industry, its earnings were deadly dropped but despite all the efforts by Ittefaq Family it was not privatised due to various political issues.

In 1978, General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq returned the business after developing political links with the Sharifs. In 1983, Zia ul-Haq appointed Nawaz Sharif as finance minister in the Punjab provincial cabinet. Then after the Pakistani general election, 1988, Nawaz Sharif formed and headed the provincial government in Punjab. In November 1990, Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the first time.[2]

In 2004, the Ittefaq Group was acquired by Al-Rehmat Group of Companies of Faisalabad for Rs. 2.159 billion.[3] The sell-out was called by the Lahore High Court to pay up the loan which Ittefaq Group had taken between 1982 and 1988.[3]

Upon the plea of family of Mian Mehraj Din (one of the seven brothers who set up Ittefaq Group and founder of Haseeb Waqas Group of Companies [5]) that the evaluation of assets is wrong Ittefaq Foundry was finally sold out to Al-Rehmat Group for Rs.  6 billion.[6]