The Khojanews team is delighted to bring to you an exclusive article about the newly appointed team of the Pakistan Federation, that will be serving the office for the term 2020-2023.
Abul Hasan Gokal – President
Br. Abul Hasan Gokal belongs to a family well known for its philanthropy, religious service and community work. He is the grandson of Haji Ghulam Hussain Jethabhai Gokal, who is known for establishing numerous mosques and Imambargahs throughout Karachi.
Br. Abul Hasan is an MBA Silver Medalist, from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), which is the leading Business School of Pakistan, with a Gold Medal in Marketing. He completed his MBA in 1985 and was invited to serve the IBA Faculty in the year 1988. He served the IBA Faculty from 1988 to 2006. He has also designed and conducted courses in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship and is managing his family business of Cement Tiles since 1980.
Community Services
Br. Abul Hassan was invited in 2006 to join Khoja Pirhai Isna Asheri Jamaat (KPSIAJ) Education Board. He served as the President of KPSIAJ from 2009 till 2012, and again from 2018 to present date. He has also served as the Member of the Managing Committee, KPSIAJ 2012 – 2015, and co-opted again for the term 2016-2018. He has been a Member of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Federation since 2009 and was Elected as President of Pakistan Federation in 2020.
His other noteworthy community services include, his position as the Chairman of Education Board, KPSIAJ, 2009 – 2015, Secretary of the Education Board, KPSIAJ, 2015 – 2018, President of Pak Moharram Association (Central Azadari Organisation of Karachi) and a Trustee of the Khoja Masjid in Karachi.
Muhammad Ali R. Merchant – Vice President
Br. Muhammad Ali Merchant is a qualified L.L.B & Inter Chartered Accountant. He is a member of Sindh Bar Council, Karachi Bar Association, Karachi Tax Bar Association along with holding numerous academic degrees like – MIB (UK), FCAM (CA), CPC (CA), FITM and FICS.
Br. Muhammad is a prominent Tax Consultant and a practicing Tax Lawyer since long under the name of M. R. MERCHANT & CO. Advocates, Tax Consultants and CPM Advisors. He served the Income Tax Bar Association as a librarian in the year 1996 and as a Joint Secretary in 2001. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Sindh since 1986.
Community Services
Br. Muhammad has been a member of the managing committee of KPSIAJ for the term 1997-2000. He was the Hon. General Secretary of JIBA International for consecutively three terms. He has been serving the Pakistan Federation since its inception, in the capacity of Hon. Secretary and currently as the Vice president.
He is a very prominent figure in the community for organizing professional seminars for the benefit of the Business community. He is also associated with many charitable and non-profit organisations in our community since long.
Hassan Abdulhussein – Hon. Secretary
Alhaj Hassan Abdulhussein was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania; and moved to Pakistan in 1968. He completed his graduation from the University of Karachi, majoring in Commerce.
Community Services
Alhaj Hassan’s affiliation with Mehfil-e-Murtaza began in 1972, when he served as the first volunteer captain and thereafter held several posts including that of Hon Secretary. He is currently serving as the Vice President for the 8th term.
Br. Hassan was also a keen sportsman and served as the Vice President of Hussaini Sports Club. He has previously served as an advisor/consultant for Zainabia Educational Society, Karachi for 18 years. Furthermore, he was Chairman of Al-Ghadeer Foundation, providing medical assistance for patients in need, especially children. He is also the Chairman of Save Life which looks after the victims of sectarian violence and Chief Coordinator of Hussaini Foundation since 2005. This foundation caters for the needs of highly vulnerable people since the earthquake of 2005 in Pakistan. (It provides and promotes education, health services, water projects, welfare programs including mass marriages and religious services all over Pakistan.)
Br. Hassan served as a nominated councilor of The World Federation during the two tenures of President Alhaj Ahmedbhai Hassam. He has been re-elected as Hon. Treasurer for the 2nd term with Pakistan Federation and presently serving as Hon. Secretary as well. He served as a councilor of The World Federation of KSIMC, nominated by Dr. Asgher Moledina in the past for two terms, and again nominated as Executive councilor for the term 2014-2017.
Hasan Akber – Assistant Secretary
Br. M. Hasan Akber holds a Master’s degree in Law as well as in International Relations and is presently pursuing his PhD in Law. He is enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court and all High Courts of Pakistan. He is presently serving as Additional Prosecutor General of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at Islamabad. He has served as a member of Appellate Tribunal and a member of the Executive of Provincial Bar Council; a member of Executive High Court Bar Association; and has provided legislative drafting services on various laws to the Government of Pakistan and partner NGOs including UNDP, UNIFEM, UNICEF, ASF.
Br. M. Hasan has provided his services to Serious Crime Group-Metropolitan Police Service, UK; and has also provided services to The World Bank. He was appointed for providing training to the Judges under the Sindh Judicial Academy; and was also appointed for providing training to law officers of the State Bank of Pakistan. On different important law points, more than 30 cases represented by him have been reported in different Law Journals of Pakistan. He has also been appointed as Commissioner by courts for various fact finding reports, inspections and evidences.
Community Services
Br. Hasan Akber has been actively involved in social welfare services since 1987. His efforts have resulted in not only the release of a large number of street children from jails in Pakistan but also their safe delivery to their families. Presently, he is serving as a member of the Managing Committee (Karachi Jamaat KPSIAJ) and since his tenure at the Family Relations Committee (Karachi Jamaat) in April 2018, more than 44 families have been successfully reunited. He has been providing legal assistance to Karachi Jamaat since long and has also actively assisted in drafting the latest Constitution of Mehfil-e-Murtaza, Karachi.
Asghar Hussain Shaheedi (Manekia) – Member
Agha Asghar Hussain Shaheedi is a Theologian/Aalim-e-Deen as well as the CEO of Wal Asr Enterprises and M.D. Leva Enterprises. He holds a Master’s degree in Arabic & Islamic Studies from Pakistan and has attended the Hawza-Ilmiyah and Dars Kharij in Qum for more than 15 years.
Religious Services
Agha Asghar recites Majalis in Urdu, English and Persian. He has visited many places like USA, Canada, Africa, Middle East, India and Europe. He has also written and translated booklets and articles in English and Urdu.
Community Services
Agha Asghar was the Vice President of KPSIAJ for 3 consecutive terms (2009-2018) and has been appointed as the Hon. Secretary of KPSIAJ for the term 2018-2021. He is a member of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Federation since 2009 and was a member of the Education Board of KPSIAJ from 2009-2015, Chairman of the Education Board of KPSIAJ from 2015-2018, and is currently serving as the Secretary of Education Board KPSIAJ for the term 2018-2021.
He is also a member/convener of Family Relation Committee (2001-present), a member of Religious & Economic Upliftment Committee of KPSIAJ, Hon. Secretary of JIBA Karachi Chapter for the term 2018-2020 while also serving as a member of the Managing Committee of JIBA Karachi Chapter for 9 consecutive terms (20 years). He also served as a member of JIBA-International Think Tank. He is the founding member of the ‘Group of Islamic Scholars’ – GIS, Qom and founding Chairman at Muhammad (SAWW) Islamic Trust (MIT). Additionally, he is also a member at Al-Hadi Trust, a member at John Memorial Welfare Organization and the Chairman of Al-Kausar Educational & Welfare Trust.
Ashraf Ali Haidari – Councilor
Br. Ashraf Ali Haidari is a Chartered Shipbroker from the Institute of Chartered Shipbroker, London. He graduated from Karachi University, majoring in Commerce and is a renowned professional in the Shipping Industry.
Community Services
Br. Ashraf has served as the Hon Secretary of Karachi Jamaat (KPSIAJ) in 2009-2012 and is a member of the Managing Committee of Karachi Jamaat (KPSIAJ) from 2012 – present. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Federation since 2009. He is a core member of Eight (8) Socio-Religious Organizations, all over Pakistan, which looks after interior Sindh Clinics and engages in Social/Welfare activities nation-wide.
Sarwar Ali Devraj – Councilor
Br. Sarwar Ali Devraj belongs to a well-known family and is the owner of Sarwar Motors, a car showroom, well-known amongst our community members. He has been engaged in community services since he was young and is associated with several religious and non-religious organizations.
Community Services
Br. Sarwar has served as the Hon Secretary of KPSIAJ, Karachi (2012 – 2018) and is a member of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Federation since 2009. He is a nominated councilor of the World Federation from 2012 – present. He is also the President of Muhammadi Hematology, Oncology Services & Welfare Foundation (M.H.O.S.W.F) since its establishment in 2003. He is also the General Secretary of Pak Moharram Association, Markazi/Central Azadaari Centre since 2012.
He is also the Chairman of Markazi Imambargah Jaffer-e-Tayyar Malir since 2018 and the Vice President of Safe Life Trust since 2004 to date. He is a former Secretary to the Health Board of Fatimiyah Hospital (2009 – 2018) and is the Founder and Head of Medical department of Bazm-e-Amaal Welfare Trust (1994 to date). He is serving in the capacity of a Trustee to Shohada Trust since 2004, Al Mohsin Orphanage since 2019, Masjid-o-Imambargah Shah-e-Najaf since 2004 and the General Secretary of All Karachi Motor Dealers Association since 2019.
Zahid Hussain Vasnani – Member
Br. Zahid Vasnani has been associated with the Mutual Fund Industry in Pakistan for over 20 years at senior positions. He is a professional Accounting Affiliate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and a member of Pakistan Institute of Public Finance Accountants. He completed his four years’ article-ship from KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co.
Community Services
Br. Zahid is currently serving as the Executive Councilor of the Federation of Khoja Shia Isna Asheri Jamaats of Pakistan. He has been appointed as the Hon. Treasurer at Khoja (PIrhai) Shia Isna Asheri Jamaat, Karachi for the term 2018-21. He is also associated with educational institutes serving the underprivileged community in rural areas.