Renowned educationist, politician, philanthropist, and successful businessman Hunaid Lakhani passed away on Thursday at a hospital in Karachi. He was 49.
As per the details, Lakhani, the founder, and chancellor of Iqra University, was suffering from the dengue virus. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Karachi but was unable to recover, sources in his family said.
His funeral prayers will be offered at Masjid-e-Saheem in Khayaban-e-Rahat on Friday after Asr prayers.
Profile and Career
Hunaid was born on August 1, 1973. During his career, he rendered services in various fields including real estate, medical, and education. He was also a politician and philanthropist who served as head of the Bait-ul-Mal. Before being appointed as head of Bait-ul-Mal, he was a founder and chancellor of Iqra University. He founded Iqra University in 1998.
He completed his graduation in Business Administration from The American College, Los Angeles, in 1997. In addition, he also graduated from the Owner-President Management Program at Harvard Business School (HBS), Boston, in 2006.
Lakhani has served as a member of the Sindh Information Technology Board, chaired by the Governor of Sindh. He was also the Founder & first elected President of the Association of Private Universities in Pakistan. He was an active Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is the ‘Networking Chair’ of its Indus Chapter.
Lakhani was actively involved in welfare projects. Recently he has helped set up institutions for mentally & physically challenged orphans under the name of “Sweet Home Foundation”.
Condolences pour in
Following news of Lakhani’s untimely death, a number of academics and politicians, including Pakistan’s president, expressed condolences.
It is pertinent to mention here that Lakhani and PTI MNA Alamgir Khan laid down the foundation of the FIXIT organization.
Expressing his deep grief over his demise, President Arif Alvi prayed for the departed soul. “We must remember through these incidents that life is uncertain and short,” Alvi said. He said, “Very sad to hear about the death of my friend Hunaid Lakhani, Chairman & Founder of Iqra University.”
In a statement, the Coordination Committee of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan has expressed its deep sorrow over Lakhani’s demise. The committee said that the social and educational services of Hunaid Lakhani can never be forgotten. The services he rendered for this city and the country are commendable. May Allah grant the deceased a high place in his mercy and give patience to the Lakhani family.
Demonstrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab also expressed condolences on the death of Hunaid Lakhani and said that Lakhani had rendered significant services in education. He established a university in Karachi, providing modern education.
Wahab said that Lakhani was a compassionate, philanthropic, and gentle-natured person. May Allah forgive Hunaid Lakhani and grant patience to the family of Hunaid Lakhani.
Provincial Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said that Lakhani’s social and educational services could not be forgotten. Expressing grief over Lakhani’s demise, Ghani said that might Allah raise the ranks of the deceased and grant him a high place in Jannat al-Firdous.
Pak Sar Zameen Party Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal, in a condolence statement, said that the deceased’s services in the education and social sectors would be remembered for a long time. Syed Mustafa Kamal expressed his condolences to the family of late Haneed Lakhani and also prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.
