Srinagar: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Friday condoled the demise of veteran entrepreneur Khwaja Mohammad Khalil, co-founder of the Saifco Group, describing his death as a major loss to Kashmir’s industrial sector.
In a statement, FCIK said Khalil, along with his brother Khwaja Saif-ud-Din, had played a significant role in building one of Kashmir’s diversified business groups, with interests spanning manufacturing, hospitality and real estate.
The federation cited the group’s cement manufacturing unit at Khunmoh and the Taj Vivanta hotel overlooking Dal Lake as examples of its contribution to the Valley’s industrial and business landscape.
FCIK said the brothers had built and sustained their enterprises despite decades of political turmoil, shutdowns, market disruptions and financial uncertainty, adding that their contribution extended beyond business assets to employment generation, local production and the development of entrepreneurship.
Head of the FCIK Advisory Committee Shahid Kamili said Khalil’s demise, following the death of his brother Saif-ud-Din several years ago, marked the end of an important chapter in Kashmir’s entrepreneurial history.
Kamili said the contributions of industrialists who established businesses, generated employment and promoted economic self-reliance deserved to be documented and preserved for future generations. He added that creating a favourable environment for upcoming entrepreneurs would be the most meaningful tribute to such pioneers.
Former FCIK president Shakeel Qalander said the two brothers had strengthened Kashmir’s productive capacity through their investments and enterprises, reducing dependence on supplies from outside the region and creating employment opportunities for local people.
He said their business ventures demonstrated that Kashmir could emerge as a centre of production, investment and economic opportunity rather than remain merely a market for goods manufactured elsewhere.
Former FCIK presidents Meraj-ud-Din Qureshi, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Mohammad Ashraf Mir, along with representatives of industrial associations across various estates and districts, also expressed condolences and acknowledged Khalil’s contribution to industrial development and employment generation.
FCIK conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family, including Manzoor Ahmad, Altaf Ahmad, Parvez Ahmad and Suhail Manzoor, and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
