The foundation of the Atlas Group was laid in 1962 with the establishment of Shirazi Investments Limited with a capital of half a million rupees and three men doing business in trading shares and real estate in Pakistan. Now, Shirazi Investments is now one of the leading investment companies in Pakistan, engaged in trading shares, fund management, underwriting, real estate and warehousing. The company has played a key role in the promotion and acquisition of the Atlas Group of Companies. Shirazi Investments (Pvt) Limited, the parent company of the Atlas Group, started operations in 1962. It is engaged in capital market, fund management, under-writing, real estate, warehousing and venture capital investments to name a few of the operations. Shirazi Investments (Pvt) Limited took on the key role in sponsoring the acquisition of many group companies. Until 1978, when management agencies were abolished in Pakistan, Shirazi Investments also acted as managing agents for all Atlas Group companies. The growth of the Atlas Group is the result of its focus on good corporate governance. Today Atlas Group is a diversified group dealing in engineering, financial services and trading. It consists of seven public limited companies out of which six are quoted on the Stock Exchanges in Pakistan, and five private limited companies. Atlas shareholders equity now stands over 25 billion rupees; assets have increased to over 60 billion rupees; personnel strength is over 7000 and annual sales have crossed 60 billion rupees. The Group paid taxes of rupees. 15 billion over 2% of the total government revenues. All this progress is due to the Group's reliance on the intellectual capital, dedicated efforts and team spirit of all the stakeholders.