Haji Fazal Ahmed Kashmirwala

(1905-1976)

In the early years following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the fledgling country faced the challenges of myriad economic and development problems. It was at this time that a very determined young man appeared on the business scene. He had been deeply involved in the promotion of the travel trade in the sub-continent from its grassroots days, and was fascinated by the newly emerging aviation sector. This gentleman was none other than the late Haji Fazal Ahmed Kashmirwala – the pioneer of tourism in Pakistan and the Founder of Kashmirwala Group of Companies. The late Haji Fazal Ahmed Kashmirwala belonged to a respectable business family whose forefathers once lived in Srinagar, tending to their large land holdings and industries. Later he moved to Delhi where he became the founder, printer, publisher and editor of the prestigious “Pakistan” magazine, which was published from 1941 to 1947. He also owned and managed a transport company, a tramway company, hotels and an enamel industry. But the travel trade always remained his first love and it was this industry on which he focused his attention immediately after the creation of the new country. In 1947 he laid the foundation of the Kashmirwala Group and by the end of the fifties the Group’s travel agency offices were already established throughout the country. He was deeply committed to the promotion of domestic and international tourism in Pakistan. In those difficult early years he organized exclusive “Excursion Trains” with the help of Railways authorities. Operating from Karachi these trains enabled the common people to visit nearby cities. The Excursion Train Services were later extended to cover areas as far afield as Swat, Quetta and Ziarat. He also played a significant role in the formation of the All Pakistan Travel Agents Association in 1959. After the secession of East Pakistan in 1971, he continued to remain the inspiration behind the formation and growth of a new body known as the Travel Agents’ Association of Pakistan (TAAP). After an eventful and accomplished life, Haji Fazal Ahmed Kashmirwala died in 1976 at the age of 71. However, he continues to be the guiding spirit to innumerable people and his legacy of entrepreneurial excellence inspired his descendants with a passion and dedication to promote air travel trade in Pakistan. Today, the name “Kashmirwala” is synonymous with the Air Travel trade in Pakistan.

Aftab Ahmed Kashmirwala

(JAN 1942– JULY 2013)

While all the other sons of Late Fazal Ahmed chose to exclusively focus on Travel Agency business, Mr. Aftab Kashmirwala who remained closely associated with all the business ventures of his father, chose to venture into other disciplines of Commercial aviation. Thus, when Kashmir Corporation was appointed as the first GSA and Ground Handling Agent for the National Airlines (PIA) at three domestic online stations Hyderabad, Sukkur and Nawab Shah, Mr. Aftab was the Chief Operating Officer of this new venture. Extensively trained by his father in the multiple operational, marketing and servicing disciplines of Airlines and equipped with years of experience gained as GSA/GHA of PIA, he decided to offer his expertise to foreign Airlines. Qantas Airways (QF), Turkish Airlines (TK), Air Mauritius (MK), South African Airlines, (SA), Asiana Airlines (OZ), China Airlines(CI),Royal Brunei Airlines(BI), Air Portugal(TP),Ukraine Int’l Airlines(PS), Aerosvit Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), are the Airlines which were promoted in Pakistan by Mr. Aftab Kashmirwala as their representative (GSA) for Pakistan with a great degree of success. Mr. Aftab Kashmirwala also went into partnership with Ms Ogden Aviation Services, the reputed international airlines Ground handling Company of USA, for providing ground handling services to International airlines at Karachi Airport. In order to promote such a large number of reputable international Airlines in Pakistan, Mr. Aftab not only developed a vast state of the art infrastructure spanning the entire country, but also hired and trained a highly professional workforce to ensure the highest quality of services to his Principals. Mr. Aftab Kashmirwala did his father and his country proud by his immense contribution to the promotion of Air Travel Trade in Pakistan. He ensured that his father’s legacy endures.