Prominent Pakistani food manufacturer announces setting up UAE subsidiary

This undated file photograph shows Ismail Industries Limited, a prominent food manufacturer and exporter in Pakistan, building in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: Ismail Industries Limited)
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Updated 30 June 2024
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Prominent Pakistani food manufacturer announces setting up UAE subsidiary

  • Ismail Industries produces a diverse range of confectionery, biscuits, chips, flour 
  • It includes Bisconni, the biscuit company, and popular candy maker Candyland

KARACHI: Ismail Industries Limited, a prominent food manufacturer and exporter in Pakistan, announced this week it would set up a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi after seeking the necessary regulatory approvals.
Pakistani businesses and industries have been grappling for years with chronic issues like the shortage of electricity, gas and water. A deteriorating law and order situation in most parts of the country and particularly the commercial hub, Karachi, is also fueling uncertainty for businesses. Major trade bodies have also rejected the new tax heavy finance bill for the coming fiscal year amid an annual inflation projection of up to 13.5 percent for June. The budget comes into effect on Monday.
“The Board of Directors (BoD) has resolved to establish/set-up a wholly owned subsidiary of the company in Abu Dhabi, UAE,” Ismail Industries said in a notice issued to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday, informing its shareholders that the subsidiary would manufacture, market, sell, and distribute all kinds of food, including biscuits and confectionery.
“The company will accordingly seek all necessary regulatory approvals and proceed with the incorporation process once the same has been obtained.”
Ismail Industries produces a diverse range of confectionery, biscuits, chips, flour, packaging and other items. It includes Bisconni, which offers an extensive range of premium biscuits and cookies, and Candyland, which was set up in 1998 and makes a wide array of candies, chocolates, jellies and bubble gums.
Ismail Industries is ISO 22000 certified, a standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization dealing with food safety. It is also certified by SANHA (South African National Halal Authority), a leading authority in the certification for Halal products around the world.


Pakistan police repel militant attack on Bannu checkpoint, five officers injured

Updated 12 December 2025
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Pakistan police repel militant attack on Bannu checkpoint, five officers injured

  • Police say several attackers killed or wounded in overnight assault in northwest Pakistan
  • Incident comes amid surge in militant attacks Pakistan blames on Afghanistan-based groups

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police said on Friday they repelled an overnight militant attack on a checkpoint in the northwestern district of Bannu, injuring five officers in an area that has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years.

The attack took place late at night at the Sheikh Landak check post, located within the limits of Huweid police station in Bannu, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Police said officers responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from overrunning the post.

Militant attacks in Pakistan have surged since 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan, with security forces frequently targeted. Islamabad says the violence is largely driven by groups it refers to as Fitna Al-Khawarij, a term Pakistani authorities use for militants they say are linked primarily to the Pakistani Taliban and allied factions operating from across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also accused India of backing militant networks involved in attacks, allegations New Delhi denies.

“Late at night, terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij carried out a cowardly attack on Sheikh Landak check post,” police said in a statement, adding that officers “displayed full courage, bravery and a timely response, successfully foiling the attack.” 

Police said effective retaliatory fire caused “heavy human and material losses” to the attackers, with reports of several militants killed or wounded.

Five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange and were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, where they are receiving medical care, the statement said.

Following the attack, additional police units were deployed to the area and a search operation was launched to locate any remaining attackers.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of failing to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegation, saying it does not allow its soil to be used against any country. 

The accusations have added to tensions between the two neighbors, who have also seen periodic border clashes over the past year.