Chapter 1: The First Brick.

The industrial fate of Pakistan was still in its formative years when the Dewan family laid the foundation of what would become a sprawling business empire. The early 1970s were a time of economic turbulence and opportunity. Nationalization had gripped the country under Bhutto's administration, but for a few daring entrepreneurs, the shifting tides of policy meant new doors were opening. Among them was Dewan Mohammad Yousuf Farooqui—a man of ambition, vision, and resilience.

The Humble Beginnings

The story of the Dewan Group did not begin with steel or wheels; it began with textiles. In the dusty outskirts of Karachi, in a modest office no bigger than a small warehouse, Dewan Mohammad Yousuf sat with his younger brother, Dewan Salman Farooqui, examining swatches of fabric. The office, though humble, had an air of determination. Piles of cotton samples sat on the desk, stacks of ledgers lined the shelves, and the faint hum of a ceiling fan did little to break the heavy summer heat.

"Salman, we are importing yarn at a rate that will eventually bury us under debt," Yousuf said, running his hand through his thick black hair. "We need our own mills. No more middlemen, no more dependence on foreign suppliers."

Salman, younger by five years, was the more pragmatic of the two. He leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen against the wooden desk. "Do you realize what you're saying, Bhai? That means millions in investment, government approvals, and the biggest challenge—getting banks to trust us with loans."

Yousuf chuckled, his sharp eyes glinting. "No empire is built without risk, Salman. We have the land in Hyderabad, and we have the reputation. If we don't take the step now, we'll always be at the mercy of others."

It was this conversation—one among many—that cemented the Dewan Group's first major step. The decision to establish Dewan Textile Mills in Hyderabad was not just a business move; it was the birth of a legacy.

The Struggle for Capital

With the vision in place, the next challenge was funding. Pakistan's banking sector, still reeling from the effects of nationalization, was hesitant to extend loans to industrialists without substantial collateral. The brothers met with various bank executives, but each meeting ended the same way—skepticism, hesitance, and rejection.

One afternoon, Yousuf and Salman sat across from a senior officer at Habib Bank Limited, the country's largest financial institution at the time. The officer, an aging bureaucrat named Aftab Mehmood, leafed through their business plan, his expression unreadable.

"You want a loan of 50 million rupees for a textile mill," Aftab finally said, adjusting his glasses. "That is a significant sum for two young industrialists."

Salman leaned forward, his voice measured. "We aren't just two young men chasing a dream, sir. Our family has a proven track record in trading. The textile industry is the backbone of Pakistan, and this mill will create thousands of jobs."

Aftab sighed, placing the documents on his desk. "Mr. Yousuf, Mr. Salman, you have ambition. But the government's policies are unpredictable. How do you expect to survive if another wave of nationalization hits?"

Yousuf, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Because, sir, Pakistan does not just need businesses—it needs businessmen who are willing to take the risk. If the government nationalizes us, then we rebuild. But we will not let fear dictate our future."

There was a long pause before Aftab gave a small nod. "I'll see what I can do."

It was a breakthrough. Within weeks, with additional financing secured through private investors, Dewan Textile Mills broke ground in Hyderabad. The first brick—both literal and metaphorical—was laid.

The Mill Rises

Construction of the mill was an arduous process. Land needed to be cleared, workers hired, and machinery imported. Dewan Yousuf spent hours at the site, overseeing everything from the foundation's stability to the procurement of looms from Japan. The Karachi-Hyderabad highway became his second home as he shuttled back and forth, ensuring no delay in progress.

One evening, as the sun cast an orange glow over the half-built factory, Salman stood next to his brother, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Sometimes I wonder if we're moving too fast," he admitted.

Yousuf smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Salman's shoulder. "You don't build an empire by waiting, Salman. You build it by pushing forward when others hesitate."

Months later, the mill was operational. The first batch of fabric rolled off the looms, signaling not just a business success but a personal victory. Orders flowed in from Karachi, Lahore, and even overseas. The Dewan name began to carry weight in industrial circles.

A Changing Pakistan

As Dewan Textile Mills flourished, the political landscape of Pakistan shifted yet again. The late 1970s saw the rise of General Zia-ul-Haq after a military coup. While Bhutto's nationalization policies had been a challenge, Zia's era brought new opportunities for industrialists. His government encouraged private enterprises, reducing restrictions that had previously stifled growth.

At a business conference in Islamabad, Yousuf found himself in a conversation with the finance minister. "Dewan Sahib," the minister said, "Pakistan's industrial future depends on visionaries like you. Have you considered expanding beyond textiles?"

The seed was planted. That night, in a private meeting with Salman, Yousuf brought up the idea.

"Textiles won't be enough," he said. "Pakistan is growing, and construction materials—cement, steel—will be the backbone of that growth."

Salman frowned. "Another expansion? We've barely had time to breathe since launching the mill."

Yousuf chuckled. "Salman, this is just the beginning."

The Legacy Begins

By the early 1980s, Dewan Salman Fibre Limited was established, marking their first step beyond textiles. It was a calculated risk but one that paid off. The success of their textile and fiber ventures enabled them to enter other industries—cement, sugar, and, eventually, automobiles.

But at that moment, as they stood in their textile mill watching workers operate the looms, it was clear—this was the first brick of what would become one of Pakistan's largest industrial empires.

As Yousuf looked out over the factory floor, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction.

"This is only the beginning," he whispered to himself.

And he was right.