Shakil Anjum
Shakil AnjumLast day, an important and purposeful meeting was held with Chairman SM Group of Industries, Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum, at his office. The discussion centered on key themes including industrial development, promotion of exports, expansion of employment opportunities, and strengthening of the national economy. It was emphasized during the meeting that Pakistan’s economic progress is only possible when all sectors—including industry, trade, and media—play their effective role in mutual harmony.
Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum recently returned to Pakistan after participating in an international industrial exhibition, Interpack 2026, held in Germany in May. Sharing his detailed observations and industrial insights from this global experience, he stated that the world’s industry is rapidly moving toward advanced technology. According to him, the use of Servo Motors, PLCs, Sensors, and Automated Control Systems in industrial production has now become indispensable, as these technologies have significantly improved not only production speed but also quality, precision, and efficiency.
He further stated that modern factories have moved beyond traditional mechanical systems of gears and pulleys and have fully entered the era of automation and smart industry. Unfortunately, educational institutions have not been able to keep pace with these global transformations, resulting in a severe shortage of skilled manpower, which has become a major challenge.
Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum noted that the most important message of this international exhibition was the concept of “Future Skills.” According to this vision, the nations that will succeed in the future are those that equip their younger generation with modern skills. He emphasized that today’s industries require a workforce skilled in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, digital manufacturing, and interdisciplinary thinking.
He also expressed regret that the traditional education system is increasingly failing to meet industrial requirements. He stressed that students must not be limited to theoretical education alone; practical training has become essential so that they can understand how machines operate, how they are manufactured, and how they contribute effectively to production processes.
He added that technologies such as Servo Systems, PLC-based automation, and sensor-based fully automated control systems have become the backbone of modern industry. However, educational institutions in our country have not yet aligned with this pace of development, resulting in graduates lacking the required practical skills.
In this context, he also highlighted an important observation: in our society, young graduates generally prefer comfortable office environments, air-conditioned rooms, and limited responsibilities. In contrast, in developed countries, engineers and technical staff actively work in the field and directly participate in production processes.
According to Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum, Pakistan’s youth must also move beyond traditional desk jobs and adopt practical industrial work, technical expertise, and field experience as their core approach. This mindset will not only ensure individual progress but also contribute significantly to national economic stability.
During the meeting, he also elaborated in detail on his practical experiences, industrial journey, and commitment to national service, reflecting a business vision that prioritizes national interest over personal gain. He shared that after completing his education, he gained practical training in food factories across Lahore, Peshawar, Sahiwal, Karachi, and Multan, where he also served in various managerial positions. This hands-on experience further strengthened his belief that industrial development and job creation are among Pakistan’s most urgent needs.
Driven by this vision, he established the SM Foods biscuit factory, and later launched the world-class Volka Foods International facility. These initiatives have not only provided extensive employment opportunities to the youth of Multan and surrounding areas but have also contributed significantly to regional economic stability. His products also generate valuable foreign exchange through exports, strengthening the national economy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when industrial activity around the world was severely disrupted and many organizations shut down, SM Foods Group continued its production and demonstrated strong commitment by not laying off workers and engineers. This approach was widely regarded as an exemplary human and industrial value.
A notable aspect of Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum’s personality is that he has always considered his employees not merely as a workforce but as part of a family. This spirit of care and sacrifice has distinguished him from many other industrialists. Unfortunately, despite the presence of many wealthy families in the region, there is limited interest in establishing industrial units, whereas such investments could create thousands of employment opportunities and accelerate economic growth.
The meeting also highlighted that Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum’s investments and capital are fully concentrated in Pakistan. Rather than relocating abroad, he is committed to continuing his journey of development within his homeland. Reports indicate that he contributes approximately 13 billion rupees annually in taxes to the Government of Pakistan, reflecting his strong sense of responsibility toward the national economy.
At the governmental level, he has been appointed as a member of the Board of Investment and the National Export Development Board. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of Multan Times University. In addition, his support for the Department of Food Science and Technology at Bahauddin Zakariya University is playing an important role in strengthening industry-academia linkages.
His philanthropic and welfare contributions form a long list. He has actively collaborated with the Government of Punjab and local administration in upgrading wards, providing medicines, and improving management systems at Nishtar Hospital and the Cardiology Institute in Multan. His clean drinking water projects also hold a prominent place among his social services.
It is an established fact that individuals like him are the true assets of a nation—those who dedicate their personal success to the development of their city, region, and country. Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum is a practical example of this philosophy, proving that with sincerity of purpose, business can become not only a source of profit but also a means of nation-building. I believe that”A person whose hands hold industry, whose heart carries the homeland, and whose thoughts are devoted to the nation’s future is the one who shapes the destiny of nations.”
