Shaista Asif
Shaista Asif

KARACHI: Two Pakis­tani businesswomen have been recognised by Forbes in its ‘100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2024’ list.

The two women on the list are former Unilever Pakistan CEO Shazia Syed and PureHealth co-founder Shaista Asif.

The criteria cited by Forbes in the compilation of the list included the leaders’ tangible impact on the region and the market that she serves, alongside their respective achievements and performance in the last calendar year.

Ms Syed, currently the general manager for Unilever’s operations in North Africa, Iraq, Lev­a­nt, and Arabia, had previously been recognised as one of the top executives in the Middle East in 2023.

Hailing from Abbottabad, Ms Syed began her professional journey with Unilever Pakistan as a management trainee in 1989 and worked her way up the corporate ladder.

In a LinkedIn post, Ms Syed said she was “delighted to be recognised” by Forbes and share the space with “99 other brilliant thought leaders and change-makers of the region.”

“To me, personally, it’s a wonderful reminder of boldly championing my values in my personal and professional leadership journey,” she said.

 Shazia Syed
Shazia Syed

“I am humbled and proud to represent Unilever and deeply grateful to every person in the organization who has contributed to my journey of enabling change both internally and externally.”

Ms Asif, meanwhile, co-founded the company ‘PureHealth’ in 2006, which focuses on scientific innovation in the healthcare sector.

It is said to be among the largest integrated healthcare networks in the UAE, covering hospitals, clinics, diagnostics, insurance, pharmacies, health-tech, procurement and more.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2024

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...