Community mourns loss of Minhas Zulfikar

Minhas Zulfiqar (third from left) with Premier Barry O’Farrell, colleague Ajay Khanna and NSW MP David Elliott at an award ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Norwest Hotel

By Manju Mittal

A prominent Sydney businessman Minhas Zulfiqar (CEO & Owner of Crowne Plaza Norwest Sydney hotel in Baulkham Hills) passed away in tragic circumstances in his home city of Karachi, Pakistan on Wednesday March 20. The news has been a great shock to the community having lost a well known member, a thorough gentleman, entrepreneur, known for his generosity who was always ready to help those in need.

Minhas Zulfiqar was shot dead in Karachi after he refused to handover money he had just withdrawn from an ATM. The 55 year old was shot multiple times in the upper body and was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.   Minhas Zulfiqar and his wife Razia were on a working holiday, visiting family and attending to business they own in Pakistan. They were due to fly back to Australia on the night when he was brutely killed.

Well known in the community and with local politicians, Minhas was a fine example of multicultural success story with whose help many charity groups benefited as he supported their charity fund raisers. Mr. Zulfiqar was known for his support of Inala – a local organisation that provides services and support for the disabled. He was a generous donor who had touched many hearts and souls with his loving and caring attitude. He had been running his business successfully for the past 10 years as he was known to wine and dine with politicians, leaders and diplomats as his hotel won many business awards under his stewardship at Crowne. Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said she enjoyed Mr Zulfiqar’s company and his loss would be felt throughout the Hills business community. “I always enjoyed talking to Minhas. He was a gentle giant and a truly wonderful man,” she said.

David Elliott, State MP said, “Minhas was a larger-than-life identity. I cannot recall a local event or charity that has not benefited from his generosity.”

A memorial Service was held for Minhas Zulfiqar at his hotel Crowne Plaza Norwest on the afternoon of Friday March 22 afternoon when many of his friends, community members and associates gathered to pay condolences to the family. Minhas Zulfikar will be greatly missed as the community has lost a great supporter and a benevolent member. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Razia and two adult sons and their families.  

On April 5 in another memorial meeting attended by Julie Owens MP, Federal Member for Parramatta who said, “I wish to express my deepest sorrow to the family and friends of the late Mr Minhas Zulfiqar, a highly respected and successful member of the Australian community who we, all of us, are very sad to have lost under such tragic circumstances.”

Our prayers are with the Zulfikar family in their time of deep grief.

 

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=2268