Archive · 26 Jul 2025
Wipro Founder's Father Rejected Jinnah's Minister Offer
Imagine a businessman named Mohamed Hasham Premji who started a company called Western India Products Ltd.
that became Wipro.
Years ago, the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, asked him to be the Finance Minister, but he declined.
This was because Premji chose to stay in India when India and Pakistan separated.
Later, Premji's son, Azim, took over and grew the company significantly.
Today, Wipro is a well-known Indian company.
Mohamed Hasham Premji founded Western India Products Ltd. in 1945, later renamed Wipro.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah offered Mohamed Hasham Premji the role of Pakistan's first Finance Minister.
Premji, a Gujarati Ismaili Muslim, chose to remain in India during the 1947 partition.
Azim Premji took over Wipro after his father's death in 1966 and expanded the company.
Azim Premji stepped down in 2019, and his son Rishad became executive chairman of Wipro.
- Who
- Mohamed Hasham Premji, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Azim Premji
- What
- Mohamed Hasham Premji was offered the role of Pakistan's first Finance Minister.
- When
- 1940s
- Where
- Bombay (Mumbai), India
- Why
- Jinnah wanted Premji in his cabinet, but Premji chose to remain in India.
- Company Founder
- Mohamed Hasham Premji
- Original Company Name
- Western India Products Ltd.
- Year Founded
- 1945
- Role Offered
- Finance Minister of Pakistan
- Current Company Name
- Wipro
- Azim Premji's Net Worth
- $11.8 billion
- Azim Premji's Son
- Rishad Premji