The 1970s were a decade of upheaval, transformation, and strategic survival for Pakistan's business elite. For the Saigal family, it was a period marked by cautious expansion, thoughtful diversification, and an unspoken policy of political neutrality that became the very shield that protected their growing empire. As Karachi became the pulse of Pakistan's industrial and financial activity, the Saigal Group chose it as their operational nucleus. Here, they would quietly weave themselves into the fabric of the nation's industrial revolution.
Setting Up in Karachi
Following the modest but promising successes of the Kohinoor Textile Mills in Faisalabad and the early ventures in consumer appliances with Pak Elektron Limited (PEL), Aftab Saeed Saigal and his sons turned their attention to Karachi. The city, already a commercial hub with its access to ports, banking infrastructure, and skilled labor, was ripe for further industrial development.
In 1972, the Saigals established United Chemicals Limited in the Korangi Industrial Area. This chemical production facility was a calculated move, leveraging the gap in domestic production of industrial solvents and cleaning agents. Their expansion did not happen with ribbon-cutting ceremonies or media coverage. As with all things Saigal, the growth was silent and deeply rooted.
Scene: United Chemicals Boardroom, 1973
Aftab Saeed Saigal (to plant engineer Younis Bhatti): "Efficiency doesn't make noise, Mr. Bhatti. Let the results do the talking. Reduce waste by 4% this quarter."
Younis Bhatti: "Yes, sir. We'll re-evaluate our solvent reuse cycle. Should we upgrade the German condensers?"
Aftab: "Only if they pay for themselves within 18 months. Otherwise, find a workaround."
Their financial prudence became legendary within Karachi's business circles. While other business groups relied heavily on bank financing and foreign debt, the Saigals relied on internal accruals and reinvested profits.
Weathering the Bhutto Era
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's rise to power in the early 1970s sent tremors through Pakistan's business community. His socialist manifesto brought sweeping nationalization policies. The Ittefaq Group, Adamjee family, and even the Habibs found their industries seized by the state.
But the Saigals escaped the brunt of this upheaval. Their absence from political lobbying and patronage circles helped them stay under the radar. The state took over United Bank Limited, which had a history of Saigal involvement, but many of the group's core assets remained untouched.
Scene: Private Family Meeting, Saigal Residence, Karachi, 1974
Tariq Saeed Saigal: "Father, why are we not raising our voice about the bank? That was ours."
Aftab Saeed Saigal: "Because raising voices draws bullets. Focus on what we still hold. Kohinoor, PEL, United Chemicals—these are our true strength."
Gul Saeed (younger brother): "But other groups are protesting. Some are even getting compensated."
Aftab: "Let others chase noise. We will chase longevity."
This philosophy proved to be one of Aftab Saeed's most defining business traits. He viewed political favor as volatile capital. Instead, he relied on loyalty, operational rigor, and unpublicized influence.
The Zia Years: A Balancing Act
Under General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan witnessed a shift from socialist policy to Islamic conservatism with liberalized economics. The business environment started to loosen up. Saigal Group, sensing this transition, began ramping up its investments again.
They purchased new textile machinery from Japan and Germany for their Lyallpur operations and began eyeing an industrial park in Sindh for a new food processing venture. Despite favorable conditions, they still steered clear of overt political involvement.
Scene: Business Conference, Karachi Marriott Hotel, 1982
The event, organized by FPCCI, is abuzz with business leaders like Mian Muhammad Mansha, Sadruddin Hashwani, and Bashiruddin Mahmood.
Mian Mansha (to Aftab Saeed): "Saigal sahib, you've been quiet during these golden days. No political dinners, no PTV interviews."
Aftab Saeed Saigal (smiling): "Golden days often come with sharp sunlight, Mansha sahib. Better to work in the shade."
This quiet, almost evasive approach to political relations protected them once again when Pakistan saw the 1988 transition back to civilian government.
The Next Generation Steps In
During the late 1980s, Aftab began easing into retirement, pushing forward his sons Tariq, Gul, and Naveed. Each had been groomed meticulously.
Tariq focused on engineering and innovation, Gul on finance, and Naveed on international relations. Together, they helped the group branch into power generation and construction materials, while keeping their textile and appliance roots intact.
Scene: Saigal Group Head Office, 1989
Tariq Saeed Saigal: "We're lagging in energy self-sufficiency. Textile units can't survive without power backup. Let's explore our own generation."
Gul Saeed: "I agree. Plus, PEL is introducing new inverter technology. If we integrate that with our power grids, we create synergy across units."
Aftab (nodding): "Then proceed. But no debt. Use retained earnings."
Their ability to remain self-reliant while introducing new technology became a hallmark of the group.
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Conclusion
As the Saigal Group's Karachi chapter closed the 1980s, the family had quietly but significantly grown their footprint in Pakistan's economy. Unlike peers who fluctuated with political currents, the Saigals operated beneath the noise. Their story in Karachi wasn't one of meteoric headlines, but of steady, unshakeable presence.
Their calculated neutrality helped them avoid the pitfalls of nationalization under Bhutto, while their efficiency-driven ethos thrived under Zia's economic liberalization. Karachi gave them industrial scale and financial connectivity, and in return, they gave it some of Pakistan's most stable and sustainable businesses.
In the next chapter, we explore how the group would enter consumer electronics, redefining the middle-class lifestyle in Pakistan through innovation and affordability.