Karachi-based prominent business personality, sportsperson and philanthropist, Byram Dinshawji Avari, passed away in a hospital in Karachi, on 22nd January, 2023, at the age of 81, after a prolonged illness. His funeral prayers were held the next day at Khorshed Villa, inside the compound of Beach Luxury Hotel. He is survived by his wife, Goshpi and his three children – Dinshaw, Xerxes and Zeena.

Byram Avari was the owner and the chairman of the Avari Group of companies – Pakistan’s leading hotel management company, which owns and operates Avari Hotels including a 5-star deluxe hotel in Lahore, the 5-star Avari Towers and the seafront Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi. The Avari Group, Pakistan’s first organisation to obtain international hotel management contracts, currently operates the 200-room, 4-star hotel in Dubai, and manages the 200-room Ramada Inn, in Toronto (Pearson Airport, Canada).

In addition to his business prowess, Byram was a national-level sailor and had won two Asian Games gold medals for Pakistan in sailing, in 1978 (Bangkok) and in 1982 (with his wife, Goshpi, in New Delhi). He was well known for his contributions to the Parsi community as a philanthropist in Pakistan, and globally. He was awarded the Pakistan President’s Pride of Performance award for his services to the country.

Sindh Governor, Kamran Khan Tessori expressed sadness at Avari’s passing and hailed him as among those who created a positive image of Pakistan globally, in addition to playing a major role in the development of hotel industry in the country. Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed his grievance remembering him for always participating in philanthropic works and his services towards Pakistan’s Parsi community country.

Born on February 7, 1941 in Karachi, to Dinshaw and Dinshaw Avari, who were also influential leaders of the Parsi community, Byram represented the Zoroastrian community in the National Assembly of Pakistan for several years and was the Chairman of the Karachi Parsi Anjuman (1990). He also served as the honorary diplomatic representative of Pakistan in Canada, in addition to being the Vice President of the Dastur Doctor Dhalla Memorial Institute Karachi (1982); Chairman of the Parsi New Year Celebration Committee (1988) and President of the Jehangir Peerozshah Dubash Health Culture Institute (1989).