OUR FOUNDERS

Hailing from the village of Kandore in the mountainous Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan, our founders come from a strong family farming tradition, where the know-how of producing quality produce has been passed down from generation to generation. Having lost their father at a young age, the four brothers were adopted by their uncle Mohammed Hussein, whose values of integrity and hard work became instrumental in their success. Joined by the eldest son of their uncle, the now five brothers were to use their joint skillset to bring their vision to life.

Like many immigrants from the region, the brothers found themselves embraced by the entrepreneurial spirit. Having worked various jobs alongside their uncle since arriving in the UK, they founded a small grocery store in Lenton, Nottingham, in the 1990s. Often at the end of racially offensive jokes in mainstream culture at the time, the corner shop would lay the building blocks for one of the largest independent supermarkets in the UK today.

Mohammed Altaf

The eldest brother, Mohammed Altaf, arrived in the UK with little more than a sharp mind and a distinctive character. Despite having no formal qualifications, his strong numerical skills earned him a job in banking. Seeking more than corporate life could offer, he co-founded Pak Foods with his brothers.

He has since supported many charitable causes, notably serving as an executive trustee for Midland Doctors, whose hospital in Muzaffarabad has been recognised for its service to the people of Azad Kashmir. Now retired, he enjoys golf, cricket, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mohammed Abdul-Razaq

Known for his warm-hearted nature, Abdul-Razaq has built a wealth of experience since arriving in the UK as a teenager. He fondly recalls working as a waiter in some of Nottingham’s first Asian restaurants and as a salesman at a video rental shop — roles that shaped the customer-first approach at Pak Foods.

Outside of work, Abdul-Razaq is widely respected for his voluntary efforts. He regularly supports Muslim burial services across Nottinghamshire, often in difficult weather, and has campaigned for more inclusive council policies around death and bereavement. Within the Muslim community, he has raised awareness around organ donation and served as a volunteer hospital chaplain. In his free time, he enjoys jogging, cricket, and being with his grandchildren.

Mohammed Nawaz

Nawaz pursued higher education in Lahore, Pakistan, before joining his brothers in the UK, where he completed a master’s degree. With a background in engineering and a remarkable ability to absorb knowledge quickly, he adapted well to the demands of running a business. He led in designing purpose-built stores and helped create spaces for other independent businesses through property development and regeneration

His commitment to philanthropy began at 17, when he helped build a road in his native village. Today, he is working towards his lifelong dream: building a large, modern, and architecturally distinctive school in Kandore, the family’s home village. Having once studied on a bare floor with a slate tablet, he believes quality education should be a universal right. In his free time, Nawaz enjoys gardening, reading, and exploring subjects like history, literature, and theology.

Mohammed Ramzan

Ramzan began working in his early teens and played a key role in shaping Pak Foods’ in-store layout, creating the product-specific aisles still used today. His sharp wit and bright personality made a lasting impression on customers and staff alike.

A passionate cricket fan, Ramzan has long championed youth access to sport to tackle issues like anti-social behaviour. He has supported various local initiatives and was a founding member of Carrington Cavaliers Cricket Club, which has produced players now representing England and county teams.

Mohammed Ashfaq

As the youngest of the brothers, Ashfaq has spent his entire career in retail. From corner shop beginnings to the supermarket floor, his sharp negotiation skills and creative approach to merchandising have been central to the brand’s success. He remains the only founder still active in the business, mentoring the next generation.

A long-time health and fitness enthusiast, Ashfaq has recently focused on making the countryside more inclusive. Through his videography and volunteer work with Muslim hiking groups, he encourages minority communities to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

PHILOSOPHY

At PAK, customers always get more. This philosophy and statement is the direction taken by the company, be it satisfaction, value or range.

To further emphasise this, PAK outlets have come up in convenient locations across the UK – making everyday shopping easy and fun with its unbeatably high standard of quality and service.

True to its mission of absolute customer satisfaction, PAK provides the freshest fruit and vegetables, quality meats and all the big household brands at unbelievably low prices.

It all started in the 90s… Would you believe we started out as a single convenience store? It’s true. Way back in 1989. We were called Pricewise. In ‘96, our founders, changed our name (yes, PAK FOODS) and the way we do business.

Most importantly, we started to introduce ethnic, hard-to-find, great-tasting foods under the “PAK FOODS” name. We cut our costs and saved you money. Still do. And that’s important, because “Value” is a concept we take very seriously. And by ‘Value,’ we mean great everyday prices on all of our great products — no sales, no gimmicks, no clubs to join, no special cards to swipe… How do we do it?

We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.

If an item doesn’t pull its weight in our stores, it goes away to gangway for something else. We buy in volume and contract early to get the best prices. We keep our costs low — because every penny we save is a penny you save.

It’s not complicated. We just focus on what matters — great food + great prices = Value