MIAN ATAULLAH (sahab)

If cities have a memory then there can be no doubt that Lahore remembers one of its finest and most gifted sons, Mian Ataullah (sahab), a businessman-cum-philanthropist.
It is he who introduced greenery into the Middle East, completed mega construction projects in the UAE, conceived a book titled 'Al-Murshid Al-Zarai', taught widely in UAE institutions, was the first ever owner of Rolls Royce cars in Pakistan, and above all, established a business empire that is known as Ataullah Group of Companies.

On 10th October 1937, when Mian Ataullah (sahab) was born into a respectable Arain family, nobody knew that the newborn baby was destined to win a name and fame for his family and his country. Since his early childhood, Mian Ataullah (sahab) exhibited extraordinary brilliance. He passed all his examinations with flying colours, including the Punjab Civil Service Exam and became Extra Assistant Commissioner. However, Mian Ataullah (sahab) was wise enough to realize that being a civil servant would keep him in chains while he was born to rule. He surprised all by resigning for him lucrative post. Many people tried to prevent him from doing so, but, they were not seeing what Mian Ataullah (sahab) had foreseen. Once he entered the arena of business, nobody could stop him. He introduced many new ideas and gifted the world of business his wisdom.

He was a principled man and had close association with His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. The role of Mian Ataullah (sahab) in the establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hospital will never be forgotten. The Sheikh loved and respected him so much that he named a town in the outskirts of Dubai after him, Al-Ataullah Baghaat.

                           

Mian Ataullah (sahab) and Sheikh Zayed holding a plant for the first Greenery Project in the UAE (1967)

Ataullah Group of Companies is responsible for turning deserts into garden in the UAE. The greenery there is an evidence of his wonderful genius. The Drip Drop Irrigation system which was introduced by him, turned the barren land of UAE into fertile land. Ataullah Group of Companies is responsible for constructing many renowned architectural masterpieces in the UAE and the UK.

Despite the fact that Mian Sahab spent most his life outside the country, he never surrendered his nationalism before internationalism. He preferred to have a green passport in his hand than to have any other. At many times he was offered a dual nationality, but he refused, as a gesture of giving back to his home country Pakistan.

An article in the newspaper about Mian Ataullah (sahab)

Courtesy: SHE MAGAZINE 2005

Mian Ataullah (sahab) was very much fond of cars and was known for his car collection. He was the first ever Pakistani to have bought not one but many Rolls Royce cars, that his house came to be known as 'The Rolls Royce House'.

                                 


                                                            







He was a strong believer in vote of empowerment and uplifting the system of education. He used to say "The tomorrow of our nation is safe if the children are properly trained today". He was a strong believer that education is the answer to every question.

The government of Pakistan named a street after him in Lahore, where his house is situated, Ataullah Street.



He lived with a mission and passed away with a vision on 3rd December 2005. His tomb is situaated in Ataullah Street, near his house, where a Mosque had been established by the name Ataullah Jamia Masjid.
                                       

ATAULLAH JAMAY MASJID