Mohammad Zahoor
Mohammad Zahoor | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1955 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of ISTIL Group; former owner of Kyiv Post; co-founder of Ukrainian YUNA music awards |
Mohammad Zahoor (born 1 August 1955) is a British-Pakistani entrepreneur and philanthropist residing in Ukraine. He is the founder and proprietor of the ISTIL Group, a multifaceted trading enterprise that once included a steel plant located in Donetsk, which he divested in 2009 for an amount estimated between US$700 million and US$1 billion. Zahoor previously owned the Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s oldest English-language newspaper, which he sold for around $5 million. Additionally, he played a key role in establishing the Ukrainian YUNA music awards.
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zahoor has actively raised funds and coordinated assistance to facilitate the relocation of Ukrainian refugees to destinations across the UK and Europe. Reports indicate that he financed the acquisition of two fighter jets for Ukraine’s armed forces and continues to liaise with global leaders and influential individuals to ensure safe transit for displaced persons.
Early life
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Zahoor is the son of a civil servant employed within the Pakistani Civil Service. He completed his early education at Junior & Senior Model School and DJ Science College in Karachi. In 1974, during his initial year at NED University, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue metallurgy studies at Donetsk National Technical University (formerly Donetsk Polytechnic Institute) in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. He later attained his PhD from this institution in 2007. After finishing his academic training, Zahoor was obligated to serve five years at Pakistan Steel.
Career
Upon receiving his doctorate, Zahoor returned to Pakistan to assume the role of safety engineer at Pakistan Steel. In 1987, he relocated to Moscow where he formed a partnership with a Thai steel manufacturer to oversee Metalsrussia, a trading firm registered in Hong Kong.
In 1996, Zahoor acquired the Donetsk Steel Mill and further broadened his portfolio by purchasing additional steel plants internationally. By 2008, he sold Donetsk Steel Mill to Russian legislator Vadim Varshavsky for an estimated sum of $1 billion.
In 2009, Zahoor bought the Kyiv Leipzig Hotel for $36 million and acquired ownership of the Kyiv Post from its founder Jed Sunden for $1.1 million. He later sold the newspaper in 2018 to Syrian entrepreneur Adnan Kivan for $3.5 million.
Zahoor has provided insights on Ukraine’s economic environment and investment opportunities through interviews with the Financial Times. Moreover, he has authored articles addressing economic and political matters concerning Ukraine and Russia for the Huffington Post.
Personal life
In 2003, Zahoor wed Ukrainian vocalist Kamaliya. The couple is parents to twin girls, Mirabella and Arabella. From his previous marriage, he has a daughter named Tanya and a son named Arman.
Philanthropy
Zahoor is a committed patron of various initiatives both within Ukraine and internationally. His contributions include funding the restoration of the Odesa Opera and Ballet Theatre, supporting the construction of a university facility in Taxila, Pakistan, and aiding the Cardiac Research Center in Pakistan. Additionally, he provides backing for sports organizations such as the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine.
Together with Kamaliya, he established the Kamaliya and Mohammad Zahoor Charitable Foundation, which focuses on helping children in need. Since 2015, their close associate Ignace Meuwissen has been involved in supporting the foundation. Notably, their fourth St. Nicholas Charity Night held in Kyiv in 2017 raised $50,000 to acquire patient monitoring equipment for the State Children’s Cardiac Center.
In 2011, Zahoor played a key role in launching the Ukrainian Music Awards (YUNA). His company ISTIL acted as the official partner and primary sponsor of the Ukrainian Hockey Federation, providing financial support for national teams as well as youth and junior squads. ISTIL also sponsored the Academy women's handball team and organized an annual summer cricket competition aimed at expatriates residing in Ukraine.
In the media
In 2013, Zahoor and Kamaliya appeared on Meet the Russians, a British reality television series produced by FOX TV that highlights affluent Russians living in London.