Farhan Cheema is a forward-thinking leader with a strong vision and a long-term commitment to excellence. As the Country Head of Zaitoon Group, he brings years of real estate leadership, operational brilliance and strategic foresight to Pakistan’s rapidly evolving urban landscape. His mission is to shape cities, upgrade communities, and deliver long-term value through modern real estate solutions.
Country Head @ Zaitoon | AI × Business Growth
Farhan Cheema is a forward-thinking leader with a strong vision and a long-term commitment to excellence. As the Country Head of Zaitoon Group, he brings years of real estate leadership, operational brilliance and strategic foresight to Pakistan’s rapidly evolving urban landscape. His mission is to shape cities, upgrade communities, and deliver long-term value through modern real estate solutions.
The Man Himself
Country Head
Zaitoon City
New Lahore City
Zaitoon Resorts & Country Club
Zaitoon City Executive Lodges
Model Housing Pvt. Ltd.
Former CEO
Work for Legacy, Not Just Land
- Farhan Cheema
AI × Business Case Studies
Real Estate
Bahaar Flavors
UD Card
Education & Career
Credentials That Build Vision
2024
- Zaitoon Group Appointed as Country Head in May 2024, Farhan initiated cross-sector partnerships, optimised internal operations, and aligned project development with market demands, boosting Zaitoon’s position as a forward-thinking real estate leader.
2020
- Model Housing Under Farhan Cheema’s leadership as CEO, Model Housing was repositioned as a trusted real estate brand by launching three high-quality projects and improving investor confidence and customer satisfaction.
2016–Present
- Pakistan Children Heart Foundation As a Board Member since 2016, Farhan has played an active role in advancing children’s healthcare in Pakistan, contributing to strategic planning, awareness campaigns, and fundraising for life-saving heart surgeries.
1998–2000
- Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
- Farhan Cheema completed his MBA in Business Administration and Management, building a strong foundation in strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and business operations, skills that have defined his career path.
“Leadership is not about managing people, it’s about inspiring them to see the future before it becomes visible.”
- Farhan Cheema
His major focus areas
- Promoting sustainable urban development and promoting ethical leadership - Sharing insights with aspiring young professionals and leaders - Supporting community-centric real estate practices
Farhan's Story
Shakers & Shapers
1962
“I was 8 years old, my skull cracked open and I was tied up to a bed for 90 days. I watched everyone going about their life while I could not move an inch. I missed out on many things but was granted the never-dying gratitude for the ability to move, to work, to create, to innovate.”
1966
Rebranded
“My birth name was Nasheen. I used to be shy, quiet and mellow. Then out of the blue, I rebranded myself and my personality changed, as always I was given something a little sooner, which was needed to for the next phase of my life.”
1981
“From Kenya to Pakistan to USA. At a very young age we migrated with our parents, settled in Karachi. Most of our relatives were business families and I studied with the likes of Former President of Pakistan and many other business leaders of today. Fell in love, got married and my second son was not well. I traveled on a jump seat, thanks to the Captain of Lufthansa Airlines who somehow managed to take us on his flight and I was able to make it to my son’s doctor’s appointment in United States.”
1983
“Foreign land, family and hospital bills – I had to earn. Worked 20+ hours at a gas station and other odd jobs and my son was in the hospital. I slept on the wheel and had a bad car accident, woke up in the hospital 2 days later and my wife told me that we lost our son. Every morning praying and conversing with God was what kept me sane. Life lesson: Surrender and it will all fall in place.”
1984
Hardwork & luck
“I was selling shirts and ties to a customer and he put me in insurance sales. Three months later I landed a multi-million dollar contract for that company which threw everyone into disbelief until the monies hit the account. This was purely a stroke of luck fueled with consistent efforts. Law of attraction, well may be.”
1985
“I incorporated Insure 123 with a vision to leverage on technology and bring innovation in the very old-fashioned insurance sector. This is when I seized contracts nationwide with a simple marketing formula, wow your customer. Always deliver value through speed, credibility and impeccable customer service.”
1995
“Internet and computers made way in our lives and we adopted emails and multichannel marketing. We innovated processes to quote faster than anyone else. We were on dot com when my industry peers were busy discussing about the future of internet. Business lesson: first mover advantage is a result of being the first to decide.”
“Vision lays the blueprint, but trust turns it into value, that’s how legacies are built.”
– Farhan Cheema
Farhan Recommends
Must Reads
Jim Collins
Good to Great
Simon Sinek
Leaders Eat Last
Farhan
Get Inspired
EVENTS
CALENDAR
03.18.23
Dubai
Meetup
A Friends & Family party at Terminal™, hosted by imma with DJ sets by Noah Dillon and Hank Korsan.
11.17.22
TYO TO LA
DIGITAL IT-GIRL
A Friends & Family party at Terminal™, hosted by imma with DJ sets by Noah Dillon and Hank Korsan.
