Shezan International Limited is a Pakistani beverage manufacturer based in Lahore. It is the largest beverage company in Pakistan. It is a part of Shahnawaz Group. Since its inception in 1964, Shezan has produced various products including soft drinks, juices, ketchups, and jams. The company is also the single largest grower of mangoes in Pakistan, and employs roughly 1,000 persons. The company is best known for its trademark product, 'Shezan Mango', a mango juice drink popular in Pakistan.
Shezan remains amongst Pakistan's largest food processing units, having developed and installed the capacity to meet the country's local as well as export needs. In 1971, Shahnawaz Group purchased all the shares of Alliance Industrial Development Corporation with the permission of the Government of Pakistan. In 1980–81, a separate unit was installed in Karachi, which now caters for Karachi, Sindh and export demand. A bottle filling plant was set in 1983 in Lahore, Punjab. An independent Tetra Brik plant was commissioned in 1987. In 1990, it was decided to install a juice factory at Hattar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Shezan International's head office is located in Lahore, Pakistan. In England Nuovo Foods LTD is the authorized distributor for all Shezan products, They carry all the import and distribution of juices, jams, pickles, chutneys, sauces, syrups and squashes. In Canada, Target Foods is authorized distributor. In Bangladesh,Sajeeb foods is authorized distributor for all Shezan products.
Products
Near the end of 2008, Shezan introduced an energy drink brand to Pakistan.
Controversy
Shezan has been the frequent target of controversy due to the Ahmadi affiliation of its owners. Several campaigns led by religious conservatives have in the past targeted Shezan, calling for its boycott, and subsequent ban.
Shezan products ban
In 2012, campaigns by traditionally conservative Islamic groups found a more liberal voice, amongst these were lawyers from Lahore Bar Association. Soon thereafter, The Lahore Bar Association also banned Shezan products from its premises and subordinate court complexes, threatening tough actions against anyone found buying the drink. The move came as 100 lawyers unanimously voted for the ban on Shezan drinks and products.
Attacks
As a consequence of the numerous initiatives to boycott Shezan products in systematic Anti-Ahmadiyya campaigns, several attacks have been recorded against Shezan factories. In June 2010, unidentified assailants stormed a Shezan factory after which high-explosive bombs were detonated that left four injured.
