From tea and cardamom in the 1920s to air freight, ocean cargo, bonded warehousing and international retail today — the Gulsons Group has been routing goods, and building trust, since 1965.
As early as 1915, family members had already reached Vladivostok and Shanghai. By 1923 the immediate family had settled in the Middle East — trading tea, cardamom and spices, and gradually expanding into transportation, shipping and logistics.
The Gulsons Group, now a renowned and trusted business establishment in Pakistan, was formed in 1965 with the founding company, Rafidain Trading Corporation. Under the visionary leadership of Founder and Group Chairman Mr. Iqbal Paracha, the Group grew into a multi-faceted establishment spanning manufacturing (toys and garments), trading, I.T., freight and logistics, airline/aviation services — including 22 years as General Sales Agent (GSA) for Air France Cargo — and international retail franchising with names such as Debenhams, Mothercare, Next, Early Learning Centre, Crocs, Timberland and Accessorize.
Rafidain Trading Corporation
Mr. Iqbal Paracha
Family members reach Vladivostok and Shanghai in search of trade.
The immediate family settles in the Middle East — Import, Export, Tea, Cardamom & Spices.
The Gulsons Group is born in Pakistan with founding company Rafidain Trading Corporation.
Ziqi is established as a pioneer in soft-toy manufacturing in Pakistan.
A multi-faceted group spanning freight, aviation, warehousing, I.T., retail and manufacturing.
Each entity handles its own cargo of expertise — from air freight to soft toys — under a single family flag.
International freight forwarder headquartered in Karachi, with branches across Pakistan and offices in Bangladesh.
Dedicated logistics arm supporting consolidation, distribution and last-mile delivery.
General Sales Agent (GSA) for Air Baltic Cargo and LOT Cargo — "a new star on the horizon of aviation industry."
Dedicated AOG, IOR & MRO time-critical spare parts transportation — whether aircraft or ship.
Carrying forward the Group's founding trade in produce, spices and commodities.
Pakistan's pioneering manufacturer and exporter of soft toys, at par with international standards.
Gulsons Express is an International Freight Forwarder with its principal office in Karachi, Pakistan's largest metropolitan city — relocated to a central location in the heart of the business district. The company operates full-fledged branches in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Islamabad, plus international offices in Bangladesh, supported by a worldwide network of reputed partners and agents.
Gulsons is an IATA, FIATA and ISO 9001-2000 certified company, fully integrated to offer customized, comprehensive logistics solutions to a diversified local and global clientele — while continuing to rank among the top IATA agents in Pakistan.
Address: Shafi Court, Ground Floor, Adjacent Hotel Metropole & Services Club, Merewether Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92 21 38797500
Lahore
Sialkot
Faisalabad
Islamabad
Bangladesh (Int'l)
Global Partner Network
Purchase Orders flow from Origin Shipper(s) directly through to Cargo Delivery, kept visible at every step.
Gulsons Express believes in a proactive approach towards its clientele — ensuring delivery of a complete package of logistics services, prompt communication and sustained service levels with a constant focus on improving efficiency.
This service level, combined with over four decades of industry experience and financial strength, sustains long-term, close association with partners and stakeholders. Pakistan sits at the strategic crossroads of the South Asian subcontinent and the CIS countries — a major market attracting multinationals across sectors, where overseas transportation cost efficiency is a key factor in a product's success on its way to the consumer.
Flexible, dedicated warehousing solutions — owned and outsourced — built around each customer's supply chain, backed by an outsourced I.T. system for full transparency and control.
Available for sensitive cargo.
Packaging, palletizing and pick/pack services.
Complete array of solutions with SOP compliance.
Built for clients' current and future needs.
Seamless integration, full transparency and control.
Long-term experience adding value to client needs.
Close proximity to Port Qasim Container Terminal.
Ground floor of each shed marked as high-security storage.
Safety & fire-fighting facilities; 24-hour manned security and CCTV control room.
Fleet of top loaders, forklifts, empty handlers, ITVs, trailers with in-house workshop.
Two self-sustained 200KVA generators, with plugs for reefer containers.
Fully supported by CBR and Port Qasim Authority; QFS acts as Bailee for cargo insurance.
Fully secured Customs Bonded Facility with 24-hour cargo acceptance.
In-house GXP / WHM representative with dedicated team.
Two fully covered sheds for export / import general cargo storage.
Ample space for container-handling equipment — speedy load, discharge and turnaround.
Ideal facility for Buyer's Consolidation and De-consolidation programs.
In-house Customs Department available during official working hours.
Loading program received from customer — 24-hour cargo receiving at QFS.
Cargo received and checked, P.O.-wise stacking, dimensions taken. DRR sent to customer; CRO + CLP received.
Container & seal number sent to customer; final stuffing plan received. Final papers from customs broker, barcode scanning if needed.
Container placed, stuffing performed per SOP, container sealed. Final load plan & stuffing photos sent to customer.
Container despatched to port terminal; customer kept updated throughout transit.
After vessel sails, Mate's Receipt sent to customer and invoice generated.
Ziqi was established in 1996 as a pioneer in the manufacturing of soft toys in Pakistan, and remains the only existing manufacturer/exporter at par with international standards in the country. Materials are sourced from reliable Far East suppliers, including one of the world's largest producers of plush material.
A completely automated production facility, trained by Korean soft-toy engineers, includes metal detectors that meet foreign buyer requirements, with strict adherence to safety standards such as EN71. Ziqi has since expanded into textile made-ups, specializing in the export of men's two-piece suits to the U.S. market, alongside women's garments, crib sets and cushion covers.
Mohammad Yasin Paracha
Ali M. Baloch
EN71 SAFETY STANDARD · METAL-DETECTED PRODUCTION
The Group has well-defined plans for expansion, with significant investment across our core business to enhance our global reach.
Training & development now includes incentive-based R&D, motivating employees and strengthening relations.
Expansion of office infrastructure and vehicle fleet to boost surface-transportation services.
Engagement in rail-road activities.
In concentrated trade lanes such as the U.S.A., U.K. and South America.
Increase plan from China and the Far East.
Into profitable trade lanes.
Across other operating parameters.
Turbines, aircraft engines, solar and wind energy — via a dedicated Department for Special Services.
Honoured over the decades by leading airline and shipping partners for outstanding cargo sales performance.
Reach the right desk directly, or send an enquiry below and our team will route it to the correct department.
Ground Floor, Shafi Court, Block 3, Civil Lines, Merewether Road, Adj. Services Club, Karachi
+92 21 38797500 ext. 206
Warehousing: +92 21 302 828 3197
CFS Station Plot # A-15, Sector 6F, Mehran Town, Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi
+92 21 321 298 8851
Qasim Freight Station, H-1, NW Industrial Zone, Port Qasim, Karachi 75020
+92 21 3472 0183
+92 21 301 826 5220