Syed Wajid Ali was an eminent Pakistani industrialist and is recognized for his contributions to ‘Olympic-Movement.’ He got designated as Pakistan Olympic Association’s President in 1978 and served at this position Twenty-Six years until his retirement in 200.
He became the longest-serving President in the association’s history. He promoted culture and arts and also Red Crescent in the country. This article contains all the detail about him, including Syed Wajid Ali Biography.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Name: | Syed Wajid Ali |
| In Urdu: | سید واجد علی |
| Famous As: | Olympic Movement |
| Nationality: | Pakistani |
| Education: | Government College, Lahore |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Profession: | Industrialist |
| Honorary IOC Member: | 1996 – 2008 |
| Member of the IOC Executive board member | 1966–76 |
| Known for: | International Olympic Committee |
| Patient: | Diabetic |
| Born | |
| Date: | 20 December 1911 |
| Place: | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Family | |
| Spouse: | Khadija |
| Children: | 2 children |
| Parents: | Father Syed Maratib Ali |
| Siblings : | Amjad Ali |
| Died | |
| Date: | 14 June 2008 |
| Rest Place: | Lahore, Pakistan |
Table of Contents
Syed Wajid Ali Biography
Wajid Ali was a multi-talented, patriotic, and dedicated personality who served his country via various platforms including sports, and business. Not only this, but he also assisted the founder of Pakistan in Pakistan Tehreek. He started his career as an Indian army officer but left this field and started looking after his family business.
Wajid initiated exemplary business projects and benefited his country. He was a determined person who ignored his diabetes and kept working for his people. He has the credit to introduce TV in Pakistan in collaboration with Japan’s electric Company.
Wajid Date of Birth
He opened his eyes on 20th December 1911 in Lahore, British India.
Education of Wajid
He completed his education at Government College Lahore.
Syed Wajid Ali Family
He was the son of Sir Syed Maratib Ali and Amjad Ali’s younger brother. He served as 3rd Pakistani finance Minister, Ambassador to the U.S.A., and as a politician and civil servant during the British era. Wajid’s son Shahid Ali is also serving as an IOC member.
Career
He joined Indian Armed Forces as the Commissioned-Officer and participated in the 2nd World War and left the Army in the 1940s and started looking after his family business. Wajid Ali set up a textile unit in Rahim Yar Khan. He actively participated in Tehreek-e-Pakistan and worked closely with Fatima Jinnah and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
During this movement, the Muslim League nominated him on a 3-member committee to observe the British Government’s referendum in the NWFP.
As an Industrialist
Having an entrepreneurship background, he carried out several industrial projects. His primary business project was a manufacturing plant of Ford Car. In 1973 Government took over this project as part of Zulfiqar Bhutto’s nationalization process.
He served as chairperson of some largest Pakistani enterprises, including Wazeer Ali Industries, Loads Limited, Zulfiqar industries, Treet Corporation, and Packages Limited.
Contributions to Sports
The Olympic Movement
His sports services are exemplary and started on 3rd March 1978 when he was designated as President of POA (Pakistan Olympic Association). He remained at this presidential post until 11th March 2004. Among his exemplary services to POA was the creation & financing of the Olympic Museum, that is the 1st of its type in the sub-continent.
He donated several artifacts to this museum. Following are some roles that he played in IOC (International Olympic Committee):
- Member of Executive-Board of IOC (1966 to 1976)
- Member of IOC’s Commission of Information & Culture (1973 to 1974)
- Vice-Chairperson Coordination & Supervising Committee for (National Olympics Committee) NOC/IOC Relations (1968 to 1971)
- He also served as a member of IOC from 1996-2008.
Lahore Race Club
He was one of the founder members of ‘Lahore Race-Club’ at the Kot Lakhpat Complex. In 1982 he got elected as chairperson of this club and served this post until 1988.
Activities in Culture & Arts
He became the chairperson of APMC (All Pakistan Music Conference) in 1960. The APMC promoted and introduced several classical performers and singers who entertained people in 2016. The APMC’s activities are held every year in Pakistan.
He established and envisioned ‘Institute of Islamic-Culture’ in 1952 and was chairperson of the institute to promote harmony among several Islamic people and scholars by publishing several articles and books by renowned scholars.
Introduced TV in Pakistan
Wajid was the 1st person who signed an agreement with Japan’s Nippon Electric-Company to start a country’s TV project. Later his step proved a creative effort that introduced TV in Pakistan, and before Pakistan, TV was introduced in Asian countries, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan.
Wajid appointed an electrical engineer Ubaid-ur-Rehman as General Manager of PTV Corporation Center in Lahore to supervise and lead this TV project with a Japanese Company. Later, in 1962 Government of President Ayub Khan took charge of this project.
Contributions to Red Crescent
He struggles to set up Liaquat National Hospital in Karachi in 1953 and took over the control as its chairperson. This hospital comprises of seven-hundred beds and is providing health facilities to needy individuals.
His other healthcare services include his service and association to Red Crescent Society of Pakistan, where Wajid served as chairperson from 1968-1998. His father, Syed Maratib, served as chairperson of Gulab Devi Hospital from 1947 to 1961.
Syed Wajid Ali Death
He died on 14th June 2008 after fighting illness after a long time and was embedded at Miani Sahib Cemetery in Lahore, Pakistan.