On the 19th of June 2025 both current and former members of Parliament came together to celebrate the life of Sir Anwar Pervez, OBE H Pk as part of his 90th Birthday celebrations. Former ministers Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP MBE VR and Rt Hon the Lord Maude thanked Sir Anwar for his considerable contribution to British Society and how he is a living embodiment of everything that is good in British Society.
Rt Hon Sir Brandon Lewis former Lord Chancellor shared with the audience how Sir Anwar and Bestway helped his family’s small business grow and thrive throughout the 1980s – as an example of entrepreneur’s support for independent businesses throughout his career.
Both Lord Maude and Sir Brandon shared their experiences of visits to Pakistan that Sir Anwar had organised for them as Chairs of the Conversative Party.
The High Commissioner for Pakistan to the UK Dr Mohammad Faisal and The Lord Khan of Burnley Minister for Faith, highlighted Sir Anwar’s significant contribution in enhancing bilateral relations between UK and Pakistan.
Lord Choudrey CBE SI Pk who hosted the event touched upon Sir Anwar’s remarkable life story from humble beginnings from a remote village in rural Pakistan to immigrating to the UK aged 21 in 1956.
Sir Anwar worked in various jobs in Bradford, before moving to London and setting up his first retail store in 1963, founding Bestway in 1976.
Under Sir Anwar’s visionary leadership Bestway has grown into a diversified Group, which employs over 47,000 people globally, with leadership positions across the food, pharmaceutical, cement and banking sectors.
Acutely aware of his social responsibilities Sir Anwar set up the Bestway Foundation, which has donated over £44.0 million to charitable causes focused on social mobility as a theme that is very personal to him.
2025 is an extra special year it marks Bestway Group’s golden jubilee as well as Sir Anwar’s 90th birthday. It is with this in mind the family had commissioned a commemorative book which covers Sir Anwar’s life story for posterity, this was shared with the audience at this exclusive event.
The cross-party event organised at the historic Churchill Room of the House of Commons was also attended by Nigel Huddleston MP Co-Chair of the Conservative Party; Labour Member of Parliament Afzal Khan CBE; Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Qurban Hussain; former Foreign Office Minister Lord Tariq Ahmed; Lord Dolar Popat & Lord Philip Smith amongst others.