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)
Short Url
Updated 30 June 2024
Follow

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 organizes second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan organizes second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad

  • Training sessions held to inform pilgrims of various stages of Hajj, precautionary measures, obligatory acts, says state media 
  • Pilgrims told to improve their physical fitness, keep essential travel documents and vaccination cards ready ahead of Hajj 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs organized the second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad today, Sunday, state media reported. 

Pakistan’s religion ministry kicked off the first phase of the mandatory Hajj trainings last Sunday in Islamabad and other cities. The ministry said the trainings were made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures. 

“Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony organized second phase of Hajj training session for pilgrims in Islamabad today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

It said the primary objective of the program was to provide awareness about the various stages of the pilgrimage, necessary precautionary measures and the obligatory acts of both Hajj and Umrah.

“Pilgrims were advised to improve their physical fitness by walking 2 to 3 kilometers daily and keep essential travel documents including original passport, CNIC, flight ticket, visa copies and vaccination cards ready,” the state media said. 

Intending pilgrims were strictly warned against carrying prohibited items such as narcotics, naswar (smokeless tobacco), cigarettes and unverified medicines.

Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.

Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.