AN ENGINEER WITH MBA BY BIRTH – MEMON BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
DIRECTOR FND CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Engr. Naeem Ilyas Khanani – BE (Electrical), MBA, MA (Economics), LLB, PGD Executive Director, FND Consulting Engineers KSA | CEO, DigiEstate Pvt Ltd | CEO, Magna Engineering Pvt Ltd | Program Director, IRADM/REIT Academy Pakistan | Independent Director, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Ltd | Independent Director, Dolmen City REIT/Globe Residency REIT | Independent Director, GENCO-II (CPGCL) | Founder Director, IHRI | Director, HANDS | Managing Partner, KASTP | Advisor, Winston Technology Zone. In this exclusive interview to ARCHI TIMES, he talks about his successful journey and other professional-related issues.
COULD YOU BRIEFLY SHARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENTER THE WORLD OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT?
NAEEM ILYAS KHANANI (NIK): I began my entrepreneurial journey as an MBA (BB) – Memon Business Administrator “By Birth” in 1987, while still in college, by founding Jabees Garments, which provided customized NCC and college uniforms at affordable prices in Karachi. This early venture grounded me in the fundamentals of commerce, customer focus, and operational efficiency.
In 1992, I formally entered the engineering world, graduating with a BE in Electrical Engineering, followed by an MBA in Marketing and Finance, an LLB, and Postgraduate Diplomas in Industrial Relations, Operations Management, and Quality Management Systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO 14001.
I’ve also received hands-on international training in Japan, Tajikistan, China, Germany, and other countries in Productivity Improvement, Kaizen, PDCA, and Production Management.
My early professional experience includes roles in technical services and operations. I served as Founder Director of Operations & Technical Services at PharmEvo Pvt Ltd and Shield Corporation Ltd, where I led the 10x expansion of manufacturing and supply chain operations and aggressively developed the NPD (New Product Development) pipeline. These experiences laid the foundation for my later roles in multidisciplinary ventures across engineering, real estate, biotech, digital platforms, and community development.
HOW HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS FROM A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER TO A STRATEGIC LEADER ACROSS MULTIPLE COMPANIES AND BOARDS OF PRIVATE LIMITED, PUBLIC LISTED /UNLISTED COMPANIES, NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES U/S 42, AND STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES?
NIK: My evolution has been driven by a desire to create scalable impact and sustainable ecosystems. From technical design and field operations, I transitioned into corporate leadership and innovation strategy, eventually serving as CEO, Founder, or Board Member across diverse organizations:
– Private companies like FND Consulting Engineers, Magna Engineering Pvt Ltd, Easy Health Tech Int’l Pvt Limited and Quantum Biolabs
– Public listed/unlisted platforms, including DigiEstate Pvt Ltd, which is now applying for listing at the PSX
– Non-profit entities, such as REIT Academy Pakistan (the only Pakistani member of APREA – Asia Pacific Real Estate Association), and IHRI, HANDS, Knowledge Fest and IRADM
– State-Owned Enterprises like GENCO-II (CPGCL), where I serve as an Independent Director
This broad canvas enables me to connect business, governance, sustainability, and innovation into every project I pursue.
WHAT IS THE VISION BEHIND FND CONSULTING ENGINEERS, AND HOW IS IT POSITIONED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF GIGA PROJECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEYOND?
NIK: FND stands for engineering excellence grounded in integrity and innovation. Our vision is to be a globally recognized center for Building Services Engineering (BSE), particularly in the Middle East, where Giga Projects require smart, scalable, and sustainable solutions. We are investing in remote delivery models, BIM, and digital twins to enhance speed and quality.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME LANDMARK PROJECTS BY FND THAT SHOWCASE YOUR FIRM’S CAPABILITIES IN BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERING?
NIK: Our portfolio includes high-rise towers, healthcare facilities, and smart buildings across Pakistan. Projects like Packages Mall, Emporium Mall, Dolmen Malls, Getz Pharma, HMR Towers and several other state-of-the-art MEP systems, vertical transportation ,Fire life Safety studies, value engineering and LEED based MEP design framework to reflect our commitment to modern urbanization.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABILITY, ESG, AND DIGITALIZATION TRANSFORMING ENGINEERING PRACTICES?
NIK: These are now central pillars of engineering. ESG frameworks are guiding our building designs, while digital tools like IoT, data-driven analytics, and cloud-based collaboration platforms are transforming workflows. We also promote green certifications, energy audits, and resource optimization as part of our core offerings.
DIGIESTATE IS AN INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE AIMING AT REAL ESTATE TOKENIZATION. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BRING BLOCKCHAIN AND DLT INTO PAKISTAN’S REAL ESTATE SECTOR?
NIK: DigiEstate was born from a need to eliminate inefficiencies, increase transparency, and democratize investment access in the real estate sector. Inspired by blockchain applications in global markets, we designed DigiEstate to be Pakistan’s first Digital Ledger Technology (DLT) based real estate tokenization platform.
WHAT REGULATORY MILESTONES HAVE YOU ACHIEVED SO FAR WITH SECP UNDER THE SANDBOX REGIME?
NIK: We’ve successfully completed initial sandbox testing with SECP, covering token issuance, compliance protocols, and investor onboarding processes. Our framework includes KYC, AML, and CFT compliance, making us ready for regulated market entry.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE FUTURE OF FRACTIONAL REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP IN PAKISTAN AND THE WIDER REGION?
NIK: I see fractional ownership unlocking billions in untapped capital, especially from young and overseas investors. It enables low-ticket entry, greater liquidity, and aligns well with REIT frameworks. DigiEstate is positioned to become a regional leader in this model.
Note: DigiEstate has formally applied for listing at the PSX, becoming Pakistan’s first proptech platform to do so. It merges blockchain with smart contracts, enables property tokenization, and aims to revolutionize compliance and investor confidence.
AS THE FOUNDER OF KNOWLEDGE FEST AND REIT ACADEMY PAKISTAN, WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN BRIDGING ACADEMIA, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNANCE?
NIK: My vision is to institutionalize learning and dialogue between all stakeholders. Through REIT Academy Pakistan, we deliver REIT-specific capacity building. Knowledge Fest promotes cross-sector innovation by uniting industry leaders, students, and policymakers. Being the only Pakistani member of APREA, we bring global expertise home.
WHAT ROLE DO INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS PLAY IN PREPARING YOUTH FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN KSA GIGA PROJECTS?
NIK: The future belongs to interdisciplinary talent. We’re helping prepare youth through customized programs in BIM, engineering project management, sustainability, and regulatory compliance-skills highly sought after in Giga Projects.
COULD YOU ELABORATE ON YOUR INITIATIVES LIKE IRADM AND THEIR RELEVANCE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR?
NIK: IRADM (Institute of Real Assets Development & Management) is designed to professionalize the sector by offering certification programs, executive courses, and policy research. It connects real assets, investment mechanisms, and urban development priorities.
QUANTUM BIOLABS IS ANOTHER UNIQUE VENTURE OF YOURS. HOW DO YOU SEE THE CONVERGENCE OF BIOSCIENCES AND DIGITAL HEALTH?
NIK: Quantum Biolabs brings biotech, digital health, and cryo-solutions under one umbrella. We’re building capabilities in probiotic R&D, blockchain-based medical records, and AI-powered diagnostics-an intersection of biology and information technology.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIGENOUS PRODUCTION OF PROBIOTIC STRAINS LIKE SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII FOR PAKISTAN’S PHARMACEUTICAL LANDSCAPE?
NIK: It’s a game-changer for import substitution and affordability. Our work with ASAB-NUST on S. boulardii addresses a huge market gap and builds local biotech capacity. It aligns with national health security goals.
Note: I am also a Founder Director of IHRI (www.ihri.com.pk), working on public health R&D and innovation, and a Board Director at HANDS (www.hands.org.pk), where we implement large-scale community development and healthcare programs.
UNDER YOUR VISION FOR NKG, YOU’RE LEADING ACROSS ENGINEERING, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND KNOWLEDGE. HOW DO YOU BALANCE SUCH DIVERSE PORTFOLIOS?
NIK: I apply a portfolio management approach with dedicated leadership for each vertical, supported by shared services in finance, strategy, and compliance. Strategic synergy, governance frameworks, and data-driven oversight ensure balance and growth.
WHAT ARE YOUR LONG-TERM STRATEGIC GOALS FOR EXPANDING INTO MARKETS LIKE KSA, QATAR, NORTH AMERICA, AND AFRICA?
NIK: We plan to scale by offering remote AEC services, smart city tech, tokenized real estate solutions, and digital health products through JV models, academic alliances, and regulatory partnerships, especially targeting KSA Vision 2030 and Qatar’s tech initiatives.
AS AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AT ARIF HABIB DOLMEN REIT MANAGEMENT, HOW DO YOU SEE THE EVOLUTION OF THE REIT REGIME IN PAKISTAN?
NIK: The REIT ecosystem is maturing, but still needs deeper reforms-including developer ratings, tenant management standards, and retail investor education. Platforms like REIT Academy are helping bridge these gaps.
WHAT REFORMS OR INNOVATIONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN PAKISTAN’S AEC AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS IN THE COMING DECADE?
NIK: We need a real estate developer rating system, digital permitting, ESG-linked compliance, and grievance redress platforms. Digital twins, BIM, and compliance tech should be embedded in policy frameworks.
WHAT CORE VALUES GUIDE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?
NIK: Integrity, innovation, and inclusive growth. I believe in empowering teams, cross-sectoral collaboration, and staying rooted in ethics and community impact.
WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR MENTORS OR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?
NIK: I’ve been influenced by visionary technocrats, Pakistani business leaders, and global thinkers. Mentors in engineering, health, and finance have shaped my principles.
LASTLY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ENTERING THE ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, OR REAL ESTATE SECTORS?
NIK: Be digitally fluent, interdisciplinary, and global in perspective. Learn to work across teams, think innovatively, and solve real problems. Above all, align your goals with societal and environmental impact-that’s where true leadership lies.
