ISLAMABAD: Prominent business tycoon and educationist Rafiq M. Habib has passed away at the age of 88, Habib University confirmed on Wednesday.
Rafiq, the former head of the House of Habib conglomerate, served as the founding chancellor of Habib University, chairman of the Habib University Foundation, and a member of the board of Stile Company Ltd. He was widely respected for his business acumen, integrity, and lifelong commitment to philanthropy.
“With profound sorrow, Habib University mourns the passing of its founding chancellor, Rafiq M. Habib (1937–2025), and honors his enduring legacy,” the university said in a statement. “A man whose calm resolve and deep integrity shaped every step of this journey, Rafiq was the moral and visionary force behind the creation of Habib University.”
The university noted that Rafiq believed education must serve the greater good, a principle that continues to guide the institution’s mission.
A Legacy of Service and Business Leadership
According to Habib University, Rafiq Habib was a trustee of several welfare initiatives spanning education, healthcare, and relief efforts. The family’s charitable network supports schools that provide primary education to more than 8,000 children.
In the corporate sector, Rafiq held extensive experience in insurance, banking, and manufacturing. He promoted numerous enterprises, including Indus Motor Company Limited, and remained a consultant for Habib Bank AG Zurich, parent company of Habib Metropolitan Bank. He also served on the boards of Philips Electrical Company of Pakistan Ltd. and Standard Chartered Bank’s advisory board in Pakistan.
Rafiq was also a Rotarian, a major donor to global campaigns such as Polio Plus, and an active supporter of community education projects including street and home schools.
Tributes
Wasif Rizvi, president of Habib University, paid rich tribute, calling him a “towering figure of vision, humility, and steadfast service.”
“Rafiq sahib was the visionary in the legendary Habib family to imagine a world-class institution of higher learning being founded in Karachi,” Rizvi said. “His generosity was never about recognition, it was an act of devotion to knowledge, service, and the belief that education is the noblest inheritance one can give to society.”
Rafiq M. Habib leaves behind a legacy of business leadership intertwined with service to humanity, particularly through education and philanthropy — a mission that will continue to inspire future generations.
