By Kamran Hashim
KARACHI: Biz Today International successfully hosted the ‘Lifestyle Awards powered by Mehak Jewellers on Thursday, 8th May 2025 at Governor Hall, Karachi Marriott. This Lifestyle Award aims to celebrate the excellence of individuals and corporates across the lifestyle industry.
Biz Today Internationals Lifestyle Awards was widely attended by business-leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and socialites who excel in their respective their careers. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and appreciate the excellence of professional who are either engaged or are serving in their respective communities and business sectors.
As per tradition, event was formally started off with the recitation of few verses from holy-quran by Mr. Rafiq Vayani, who then handed over the proceedings to Ms. Aqsa Waqas who acted as Master of Ceremony for the entire event onwards.
Aqsa Waqas took centre stage to formalize the event and started off with an introduction of the hosts i.e. Biz Today International. After introduction, Sarwat Nasim Shah, One of the Patrons of Biz Today International was invited for welcome speech and she welcomed all the guests at the event and also congratulated the awardees in advance.
Mr. Raza Abbas, General Manager of Karachi Marriott Hotel also shared his views by saying; we strive to give value to our valued customers, he also shared about the award that was received from UK and from USA. Karachi Marriott Hotels GM further said; we are the only Green Key Sustainable Hotel in this region, which means of the high environmental standards that we follow, we dont only compete locally but we compete globally as well.
During his keynote address multi-talented Yousuf Bashir Qureshi commonly known as YBQ stressed on the need to recognize each other rather than causing and supporting rifts. He said; life goes on and waits for no one, we simply cannot fight with nature. We are in a land of Sufis; we give out the message of love, nothing else. YBQ also entertained the audiences with his poetry.
Anaya Umair, Pakistans Youngest Author stressed on the need of Education for Girls and proudly said that she being a prime example of what daughters can do. She spoke highly of being privileged enough to get access to education which sadly isnt available for many girls of her age.
Chief Guest of the event, Mr. Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi spoke mostly on Tourism, which according to him is an important element within the lifestyle sector. The Malaysian CG spoke very highly of an untapped tourist destination in Malaysia known as Kota Kinabalu, which is the capital of Malaysias Sabah state in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Now whenever you plan to visit Malaysia, do schedule Kota Kinabalu in your itinerary, said the Malaysian Consul General.
Mr. Junaid Naqi, President Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI) seemed visibly impressed with the presence of YQB called him an inspiration. But according to him, best inspiration came from the Youngest Aurther in Pakistan and his thoughts.
Award Presentation Ceremony was conducted by Anum Abdul Ghaffar and presenters panel consisted of Mr. Junaid Naqi, Mr. Rafiq Vayani, Mr. Yousuf Bashir Qureshi and the chief guest of the evening His Excellency Mr. Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi.
First award of the evening was the Most Beautiful Destination, which went to Malaysia and to receive the award, His Excellency Mr. Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi was invited to receive the award. Seafront King, Mr. Danish Qureshi, CEO, RIB | Real Estate Investment Bank was awarded for his Investment Strategies and for breaking barriers in Real Estate Sector.
For Outstanding Contribution in Hospitality Sector, Mr. Raza Abbas, General Manager of Karachi Marriott Hotel was awarded. For her Outstanding Artistic Innovation in Decoupage, Samreen Abid Founder of Diyar-e-Hunar by Samreen was awarded. Best Pastry Chef went to Faiqa Faisal, Founder, Mama’s Kitchen by Faiqa Faisal and his Outstanding Contribution in Travel & Tourism Sector, Abdul Qayyum, Director Greenland Travels was awarded.
Appreciation Award for Anaya Umair, who just at 12 years of became the Youngest Author in Pakistan and for being an Inspirational Educator, Anam Abdul Ghaffar was awarded. Another Appreciation Award went to Elma Majid Khan for her excellent services as an Educator, Home-schooling Advocate and Teacher Trainer. Yousuf Bashir Qureshi was also awarded for being the Pioneer in the Fusion of Design Principles.
For redefining the image of the Real Estate Sector in Pakistan, Mariam Madhupurwala took the honors and for his innovations in Real Estate Naeem Ilyas Khanani founder of DigiEstate was awarded. For hosting the most promising content studio i.e. AURUM, Marium Raza was awarded.
Most Stylish Jewelry Brands were to H. M. ALI Jewelers and Mehak Jewellers. Their award were received respectively by Kashif Muhammad Ali Chocksy and Noman Muhammad Ali Chocksy. For creating stylish candle, award for Best Scent-sational Brand – Jugnu Candles presented with an award. Award for Most Innovative Fashion Designer went to Lubna Mudassir and Benish Hussain Zaidi was declared as Best Chef.
One of the most sought after catering and event management company; United Catering Services awarded with the award of being the Most Innovative Catering & Event Management Company, award for Best Premium Ready-to-Eat Product went to UCRAVE and Best Young Entrepreneur in Food & Beverage Sector was awarded to Muhammad Subayyal Siraj.
For Best Active Canola Oil, Chef Sarah Farhan, head of business development at andaz cooking oil receieved the award and for her excellence and outstanding program Coordination in Community Shehnaz Shahid got awarded and for his Outstanding Contribution in to Property Business Muhammad Nadeem Oza was awarded. Few more appreciation awards were presented to Ahsan Mehanti, Aqsa Waqas and Hina Asif.
Event concluded with a group photo of all the awardees followed by Hi Tea.
