A special tribute to our founder, Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar
In the early morning of 26 December 2015, the death of Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar was announced. He was the founder and chairman of NRS International and its family-owned manufacturing facility, H. Sheikh Noor-ud-Din & Sons (HSNDS), in Lahore, Pakistan.
Mr. Sarwar, known by many as Sarwar Landay Wala, was responsible for building HSNDS from humble beginnings into the manufacturing giant that it is today. In 1966, Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar opened a small local shop to sell canvas, and this company grew quickly, selling canvas in high volumes for the tent industry. Responding to the growing worldwide demand for tents, he opened his first manufacturing facility in 1973, which produced high quality tents, tarpaulins and canvas. A pivotal moment in the company’s history was when it began to supply tents to the United Nations during the Iran-Iraq War in 1980.
Over the years, HSNDS has invested in research and development to manufacture relief products that are designed to withstand rigorous testing and quality control checks at all levels of production. Under the leadership of Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar, HSNDS reaped numerous awards from The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, including ‘Best Export Performance Award in Cotton, Canvas, Tents and Tarpaulins’ for 1994-1995, and ‘Best Export Performance Award in Canvas, Blankets, Tents and Tarpaulins’ from 2010-2014.
Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar was highly respected by managers and employees alike throughout the entire company. He was regarded as a visionary leader by anyone who ever worked with him. He was also a truly remarkable human being— humble, funny and kind. His generosity of spirit was simply astonishing. That is why he was loved by his colleagues and so many people from all walks of life.
Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on, and will endure for generations.
Remembering Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar
As NRS International bids goodbye to their founder, the team has compiled eulogies from employees who had the privilege of working with him for the longest time. We invite you to take a moment to read their touching statements in loving memory of Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar:
“I took care of him from 2005 to 2009 in Dubai and Lahore. I used to call him ‘Father’. He was a very good man and a very kindhearted person who always helped. He loved his grandchildren very much and used to play with them. He was always concerned for the wellbeing of the people working for him. He never missed to give us gifts during Eid celebrations. I still remember that very night when he told me about his life story, how he started his business, and then the following day, he was admitted to hospital. The memory of him will always stay in my heart. He will always be remembered in many ways. He will be greatly missed. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. May Allah grant him a higher place in Jannah.” – Nurbiya Isnani, Receptionist, NRS International
“Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar was a remarkable man. Knowing him personally as I did since 2001, I am well aware of the difference he made in the lives of many people, both here in the company, and in his private life. I first met him during the inauguration of HSNDS’ plastic sheeting unit in Pakistan. Whenever we meet in Lahore, he would call me ‘Big Mama’. He was very hospitable and very generous. He was highly respected by everyone. He will be missed.” – Esther Giger, Sales Director, NRS International
“I worked for Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar back in Pakistan since 1994 and here in Dubai since 2003. He was like a father to us all. We used to have lunch together and he never treated us like he’s the boss. He was always there for us. I will surely miss those moments with Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar.” – Liaqat Khan, Driver, NRS International
“I worked for Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar since 2006. He always helped us with whatever we needed. He was very generous, kind and understanding. He was always there for us – a man with a big heart.” – Anwar Khan, Driver, NRS International
“I will never, ever forget March 31, 2008, when I met Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar at a DIHAD exhibition. It was just my first three working days at HSNDS. He was a very kind and humble man. Whenever we met, he used to touch my head to bless me. To me, those were the most touching moments, as all my fears disappeared that time. May his soul be bestowed with highest places in heaven. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.”- Meriem Hadjaj, HR Officer, NRS International
“I knew him since January 2001. He was very kind, honest, energetic, and always passionate about work. Knowing him and working with him was an inspiration…a highlight of my life.”- Khawaja Asif Ejaz, Accounts and Finance Manager, HSNDS
“What a man he was, I always wonder, just look at his life. He left school while studying in 4th class. His mother sent him to a cycle repair shop at the age of 10. At the age of 22, he was trading in canvas cloth in Landay Bazar – Lahore. There in Landay Shop, he entered into the export of tents and tarpaulins and established a company M/S H. Sheikh Noor-ud-Din & Sons (Pvt) Ltd. The company has been the export leader from 1979 up to this very day.
“Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar, to me, was a magician. He solely established five manufacturing units within 20 years. Throughout his 55 years of struggle, he worked from 8 am to 11 pm daily including Sundays and holidays. Rest and entertainment were alien to him. He left an empire that is further flourishing under his sons and is presently supporting more than 7,000 employees and their families.”-Imtiaz Ali Shah, Head of Legal Department, HSNDS
“We dearly called him ‘Father’. I worked with him for three years in Pakistan. He was always calm and very kind. He was very generous and he always gave us hadiya. He also gave us great advices about life and he always made us laugh. Father will forever be missed.” – Nooraisa, Office Assistant, NRS International
“I am honored to have served respected Mr. Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar for more than 35 years. He was not only a tycoon in his field of business but also well known for his benevolent association with his staff. Allah Almighty bestowed him with a bright visionary intellect that will guide us as beacon to success. May his soul rest in peace forever and he surpass all the stages of after life with the same dignity the way he lived.” – Sufi Anwar Maqbool, Senior Cashier, NRS International
“Respected Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar was very honest, hardworking and intelligent. Although he was the prominent figure in the business community, he was very kind with the staff. I’ve had the honour to work with him for 37 consecutive years. For the rest of my life I’ll pray for him. May his soul rest in peace.” – Muhammad Nawaz, Chief Accountant, HSNDS
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.
May Allah grant him a higher place in Jannah.