The founder and chairman of Hashoo Group, Mr Sadruddin Hashwani is the first ever businessman in the history of Pakistan to be awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civil honour in recognition of his relentless, meritorious services to the country.Founded by Mr Hashwani in 1960, Hashoo Group is a global enterprise, comprising over 20 independently-operating companies. Based in Pakistan, the group operates across three continents, with a mission to ensure long-term profitability, increase shareholder value, provide career opportunities, and continuously support the development of the communities where it operates. From its humble origins in cotton trading, the group has expanded its expertise to an array of industries, comprising hospitality, oil and gas exploration and production, information technology, investment, minerals, mining, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and commodities.Hashoo Group owns and operates the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels and Marriott Hotels in Pakistan. The group has been leading the hospitality industry of the country for nearly four decades and, is also launching four new five-star hotels in Hayatabad, Malam Jabba, Mirpur and Multan this year. On the philanthropic side, Mr Hashwani founded Hashoo Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that has worked extensively to address humanitarian and social concerns in education, healthcare, social protection, disaster risk reduction and livelihoods in communities across the country. The foundation also contributes towards priorities of youth employment and women empowerment. Through its diversified programmes across Pakistan, the foundation has benefitted over one million people and devised economic opportunities for millions more. In 2014, the Kingdom of Belgium conferred the Award of Knight-Commander in the Order of Leopold II upon Mr Hashwani in recognition of his services to the Kingdom of Belgium. His continuing success, Mr Hashwani strongly believes, has come against the odds and is due to his strong faith and the infinite blessings of the Almighty and his forefathers. A self-made man from a middle-class background, Mr Hashwani is among Pakistan’s most eminent citizens and best-known philanthropists.