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Company History

Over 55 years of visionary industrial leadership, agricultural innovation, renewable energy, and community development.

Mian Altaf M. Saleem - Shakarganj Limited Pioneer Leader
ARCHITECT OF GROWTH

Mian Altaf M. Saleem

A Name Behind the Success Story of Shakarganj

Mian Altaf M. Saleem joined Shakarganj in 1973 during the establishment of our first sugar factory. Working under the guidance of our founding Chief Executive Officer, Haji Muhammad Shafi, he later succeeded him as CEO in November 1978, steering Shakarganj into a market-leading diversified corporate enterprise.

INNOVATION & EXPANSION

Chronological Milestones

Toggle between corporate eras to explore our historic milestones.

ERA I • FOUNDATION & INDUSTRIAL GROWTH (1967 – 1999)
1967 FOUNDATION

Incorporation & First Factory

Incorporation of Shakarganj Limited as a Public Limited Company. Erection of our First Sugar Factory with an initial crushing capacity of 1,500 Tons of Cane per Day (TCD).

1972 COMMERCIAL LAUNCH

Start of Commercial Operations

Commenced commercial sugar refining operations in Jhang District, laying the foundation for Pakistan's premier agro-industrial complex.

1979 PSX LISTED

Public Listing on Stock Exchange

Listed as a public limited company on the Karachi Stock Exchange (now Pakistan Stock Exchange - PSX: SML).

1982 INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

Capacity Expansion to 4,000 TCD

Crushing capacity expanded significantly to 4,000 TCD to meet growing national sugar demand.

1983 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute

Establishment of the Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute (SSRI), fostering agricultural R&D and high-yield sugarcane crop breeding.

1984 AGRICULTURE INNOVATION

Sugarcane Breeding Facility

Initiated Pakistan's first sugarcane breeding facility under a controlled environmental shed.

1985 RENEWABLE ENERGY

First Biofuel Distillery & Sugar Journal

Erection of First Biofuel Plant with a production capacity of 40,000 Litres per Day (LPD). Launched the first issue of the Pakistan Sugar Journal under SSRI.

1988 CORPORATE AWARD

KSE Top Company Award

Awarded the Top Company Award on Exceptional Performance by the Karachi Stock Exchange.

1990 DIVERSIFICATION

SSRI Library & Kane Wood Plant

Established SSRI Central Research Library and launched Particle Board manufacturing plant under the brand name 'Kane Wood'.

1992 CAPACITY EXPANSION

12,000 TCD Capacity & Pathology Lab

Crushing capacity expanded threefold to 12,000 TCD. Established Sugarcane Pathology Laboratory for crop disease prevention.

1993 CO-GENERATION

Co-Generation Division Established

Established Co-Generation Division for captive eco-friendly power generation from sugarcane bagasse.

1995 BIOLOGICAL R&D

Insect Pest Bio Control Laboratory

Established Bio Control of Insect Pest Laboratory to promote eco-friendly organic farming solutions.

1996 CROP PROTECTION

Biological Control of Borers Complex

Initiated field-scale Biological Control of Borers Complex across Punjab sugarcane farming regions.

1997 GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM

ISSCT International Workshop Host

SSRI hosted the Engineering and Energy Workshop on Factory Design organized by the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT).

1999 VARIETY APPROVAL

Variety 'SPSG-26' & Bio-Compost Plant

Official government approval of high-yield Sugarcane Variety 'SPSG-26'. Established Bio-Compost Plant, Bio-Technology Project, and Nestle Molasses Feed Project.

ERA II • DIVERSIFICATION & SUSTAINABILITY (2000 – PRESENT)
2000 HUMAN CAPITAL

Teachers Training & R&D Symposium

Organized first R&D Workshop and established Teachers Training and Resource Center (TARC) for community education.

2001 CSR & ARTS

Tissue Culture Lab & Jhang Art Gallery

Established Tissue Culture Laboratory, sponsored Jhang Art Gallery, launched Shakarganj Social Action Program, and won Best Presented Annual Report Award.

2002 BIOENERGY EXPANSION

Biofuel Expansion to 80,000 LPD

Expanded Biofuel Production Plant capacity to 80,000 Litres per Day. Launched Shakarganj Scholarship Program and 26 Adult Literacy Centers.

2003 CORPORATE GROWTH

Crescent Ujala Merger & 120k LPD Biofuel

Amalgamated with Crescent Ujala Limited. Biofuel capacity expanded to 120,000 LPD. Won Best Corporate Report Award, adopted 33 schools, and launched mobile dispensaries.

2004 DAIRY & FOUNDATION

160k LPD Biofuel, Farms & Dairies

Expanded Biofuel to 160,000 LPD. Established Shakarganj Farms Division, Shakarganj Foundation, Shakarganj Dairies, and approved Sugarcane Variety 'SPSG-394'.

2005 2ND SUGAR FACTORY

Second Sugar Factory (8,000 TCD)

Erection of Second Sugar Factory with 8,000 TCD crushing capacity. Installed First Molecular Sieve Dehydration Plant (100,000 LPD). Won Best Corporate Report Award.

2006 ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

Control Union Organic Sugar Certification

Organic Sugar Project officially certified by Control Union International Netherlands. Approved Sugarcane Varieties 'NSG-311' and 'NSG-555'.

2008 GRID POWER SUPPLY

8 MW Bio Power House to National Grid

Established 8 MW Bio Power House and commenced power supply to Pakistan's national grid. Installed Second Molecular Sieve Dehydration Plant (100,000 LPD).

2009 INTERNATIONAL CSR

Intel-AIM Singapore CSR Award

Won Intel-AIM Corporate Responsibility Award under Asia's foremost CSR Awards Program in Singapore for outstanding community projects.

2010 COMMUNITY AID

PARB Project & Flood Relief

Launched nationwide Flood Relief Program. Executed PARB-funded Sugarcane Plant Improvement Project.

2013 GLOBAL STANDARDS

Bonsucro Certification & USAID Project

Achieved Bonsucro Membership for Better Sugarcane Initiative. Established Tiger Compost Plant and executed USAID Adult Female Literacy Project.

2016 FOOD GRADE CO2

Joint Venture Food Grade CO2 Plant

Established Joint Venture Food Grade Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Plant with a production capacity of 50 Metric Tons per Day.

2017 GOLDEN JUBILEE

50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee

Celebrated 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee of Shakarganj Limited, announcing strong financial performance dividend.

2023 SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Continuous Industrial Leadership

Sustaining market leadership across refined sugar and biofuels with eco-friendly innovation and digital modernization.

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