Anser Zahur Butt: Starting from scratch

Anser Zahur Butt: Starting from scratch

Anser Zahur Butt: Starting from scratch

Anser Zahur Butt is a self-made man who launched Anser Automobiles with the seed money of just Rs250,000 almost 35 years ago. Photo: Iqtidar Gilani/Bol News

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Anser Zahur Butt is a self-made man who launched Anser Automobiles with the seed money of just Rs250,000 almost 35 years ago. Now it is a multi-million-rupee enterprise dealing with the armed forces and several well-reputed private companies.

Graduated from the Forman Christian College (a chartered university), he is satisfied with the education and career progressions of his three sons and a daughter. Like him, his daughter and two sons are Hafiz-e-Quran.

He joined business politics to expose the culture of the double standards of leaders. He desired to provide awareness to fellow businessmen about their rights and take their voice to the policymakers and executors. He is the president of the Automobiles Association (Montgomery Road) and Grand Traders Alliance (Lahore chapter).

The following are the key points of an informal discussion with him:

What was your first business venture?

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Upon completion of education, I went to Saudi Arabia to give a helping hand to my father and siblings doing business of auto parts there. On returning to Pakistan after three years, I started the business of auto parts with an initial investment of Rs250,000. Now I am a contractor registered with the Pakistan Army and auto parts supplier of well-known companies. Around 15 years ago, I also started a business of batteries. Now I am among the major dealers of Osaka batteries.

What is your biggest achievement?

I am a self-made man. Starting from scratch, I have managed to establish a big business. I always get pride in saying that I have successfully kept trade bodies out of the influence of any political parties.

Who is your inspiration?

Fellow businessman Fayyaz Bedar is my inspiration, who convinced me to join trade politics. I learnt the ethics of trade politics from this great man who believes in using all energies for educating and resolving the issues of fellow businessmen.

What is your greatest fear in life?

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Like every father, I am worried about the future of my children. Presently, the social disconnect is a major issue, which will only worsen in the days to come. I am a lucky man whose children are Hafiz-e-Quran. Due to inclination towards religion, I am confident about their success in the future.

How do you take part in public welfare?

I am always ready to help fellow businessmen and support people in need. I also support people for education and wedding of their children.

What is your favourite sport? Have you ever been an athlete yourself?

Cricket! Like most of the people, I played cricket on streets, school and college grounds. I am also fond of swimming.

Your favourite sportsman?

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Mighty (Majid) Khan is my favourite due to his courage and cricketing abilities.

Your hobbies?

I love spending time reading articles in the newspapers and viewing current affairs programmes on television and Youtube. I love viewing vlogs of Imran Riaz Khan.

Do you listen to music?

I have always been a music lover. I love ghazals and songs. Ali Zafar, Atif Aslam, Jagjeet Singh and Chitra Singh are my favourites.

How many hours do you work in a day?

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I usually work 12 to 14 hours a day.

Which is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan are my favourite places due to the scenic beauty and mountains.

iPhone or Android phones?

Android, as for me, is user-friendly. But I do not change the device unless the existing one starts causing problems.

Which clothing brands do you frequently wear?

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I prefer getting clothes stitched, rather than wearing branded clothes.

What inspires you to join business politics?

The personality of Fayyaz Bedar inspired me to join business politics. I desired to become beneficial for my community and end the existing culture of double standards. There is a need for trade bodies to provide advocacy and fight for the rights of the community.

How do you take the Point of Sale initiative?

The government officials will take this as a tool to grab money from traders. A fixed tax regime is the best option for a country like Pakistan. All the businesses should be charged a fixed amount according to the turnover.

What can make the business environment easy?

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Though the situation has improved considerably, there are difficulties both for the new entrants and the existing players. Uncertainty and the existing taxation system are major hurdles. The entire focus of the government is on large-scale manufacturing and that too only in the textiles sector. Other sectors, SMEs and the cottage industry should be given due attention.

The government should devise policies after due consultation with the stakeholders and introduce a fixed tax for retail outlets. One window facility and tax exemption should be given to starters.

What is the future outlook of the overall business environment in Pakistan?

The major global powers have targeted Pakistan. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a tool to keep Pakistan under pressure. The business environment is directly linked with the political stability in the country, which unfortunately I am not seeing shortly.

Maaz Anser said: “He [Butt] is inspirational role model not only for me and my siblings, but also other members of our family and even a good number of his fellow businessmen. He is always ready to guide and help his fellow colleagues. He is a God-fearing man who is always willing to give a helping hand to people in need.”

Waleed Anser said: “He [Butt] is a gem of a person who gives equal treatment to all his children. His inclination towards religion motivated me and my two siblings to become Hafiz-e-Quran like him. For me and my siblings, he is a friend with whom we can discuss every issue. I learnt business ethics from this humble, down to earth and caring leader of the business community.

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