By Ijaz Ahmed Khan
Mississauga, Canada: In a heartfelt interview, Iqtidar Naqvi, a prominent Pakistani-origin entrepreneur based in Mississauga, Ontario, opened up about his remarkable life journey from the Middle East to Canada, emphasizing the pivotal role of family support, hard work, and unwavering commitment to community welfare. Naqvi, who has built a thriving business empire while prioritizing social good, dedicated his story to his wife, Beena Naqvi, crediting her as the backbone of his success.
Naqvi began by greeting the audience warmly: ” Mr. Iqtidar, please tell me a bit about what’s happening these days, and just like we heard from Sham and Riyaz about the community-oriented work they have taken upon themselves—and indeed, this is a work of charity, an ongoing sadaqah, guiding someone to the right path—so what would you say? Where did it start? What are you doing? What’s happening? Thank you very much. Assalamu Alaikum everybody. My name is Iqtidar Naqvi,” Naqvi said.
Residing in Mississauga for nearly 26 years, Naqvi immigrated to Canada in 2000 with his six family members from the Middle East. “I live here in Mississauga, Canada. I came to Canada in 2000 with my children. My six family members came from the Middle East. And our objective was to go to a place where there is rule of law, justice, fairness, and where there are opportunities for work—just like in my youth, during my student days, I enjoyed my life and my efforts were recognized based on fairness. I wanted to maintain that and reach a place that is out of the box. So I chose Canada,” Naqvi said, explaining his decision to relocate for a life of justice and opportunity.
Upon arrival, Naqvi felt an immediate sense of belonging. “After coming here, I felt good about the brain gain, and now almost 26 years are about to complete here. I have never been surprised till date—neither me, nor my children, nor my family. The reason was that we had checked it out: what we need to do, who I am, and what to do for the next generation to come. For that, first of all, I chose my family. I gave them attention. My wife Beena Naqvi and I—she is my soulmate. So I dedicate today’s meeting with you to her because the role she played in my life is the result of why I am sitting in front of you today,” Naqvi said.
When asked if he meant that behind every successful man is a successful woman, Naqvi affirmed: “You mean to say that behind a successful man, there is the hand of a successful woman. Yes, her hand is there, and her character is tremendous, and we should closely observe how to utilize her,” Naqvi said.
Reflecting on his professional roots, Naqvi highlighted his career in mechanical engineering in the Middle East. “So what did I do? I lived in the Middle East. I was recognized there. It felt very good. My profession was mechanical engineering in projects. There, I was recognized for hard work, loyalty, and sincerity, and professional skills—there was no other subject for me. A world came and sat on my head, and on a very good offer from the United Nations, I went from Saudi to Jeddah with my family. There, I very successfully completed a very big mechanical engineering project—Jeddah Swaps Connect. After completion of that, I came to Canada with my total six family members,” Naqvi said.
Emphasizing decisive action, he added: “There is no any other thing, just one is my decision. Whatever the decision, no review, just I go ahead. Even today, the same situation is there,” Naqvi said.
In 2005, Naqvi ventured into business, starting with an English food restaurant. “What happened in this is that I got into business in 2005. I entered the English food business. My wife, Beena Naqvi, I allocated it to her. I put a lot of investment there as a new member of the community, and what I did—I only relied on Allah and to build my team, I firmly believed that whatever Allah has given me is my team. And that team is what has brought me here today, sitting in front of your camera. This is a building outside Mississauga. Inside it, from almost 2005 to 2022, we ran an English food restaurant—fish. There, from that time till now, one thing was in my mind: how to help the community. How to do whatever small things we should do,” Naqvi said.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Naqvi’s family stepped up for the community. “So anyway, you all know that a very big thing passed by us—that was COVID-19. When it came, we thought to participate in it too. Alone my family, alone my family, we donated over $10,000 worth of food to the Compass Food Bank continuously. My children, my daughters, made food with their own hands—we periodically give to Compass Food Bank. Where there was a great shortage of food. So I say this with great pride. I say it so that the listeners, the audience, the viewers also benefit from it. We take our thoughts behind success to sadaqah,” Naqvi said.
Transitioning to window treatments in 2010, Naqvi’s business flourished with family involvement. “Then I got into the window treatment business. Then I entered the window covering business. From 2010 till now, for this business of mine. Very successfully, my children supported me. Currently, I have three branches in Canada. One in Washington DC. One in Montreal. I am thankful to Allah and my team. And from the beginning, we thought from the heart how to work with the community. How to return to the community. In those communities, all my communities come where I live in Canada, and we people here in gay places totally try to do free of cost and also proceed with small things,” Naqvi said.
Naqvi expressed strong support for community leaders like Shams . “Just like my friend Shams Sahab mentioned, I support their thoughts a lot, and I will try to walk together with people like Shams and try to recognize myself where I want to learn a lot,” Naqvi said.
Concluding on a grateful note, Naqvi said: “Thank you very much for this wonderful team. I am very happy to meet all you guys. Thank you very much Mr. Farooq Mirza who organized this, and today I am sitting in this program in front of you people. Thank you very much, I am very thankful to you, and thank you very much to all participants over here. Naqvi said.
Naqvi’s story serves as an inspiration for immigrants and entrepreneurs alike, underscoring the power of faith, family, and giving back. His businesses continue to thrive, with a focus on ethical practices and community integration in Canada.
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