Sharif Trust was founded by Late Mian Mohammad Sharif, a philanthropist and an industrial conglomerate, who was blessed with an ability to run enterprises effectively. His first project was launched in the steel industry in 1937 as Sharif Group. He migrated to Lahore, Pakistan during partition of Indian Subcontinent in 1947 and had to start his business once again. The group emerged, in a short period of time, as a leading group in the steel, textile and sugar sectors of Pakistan.

In addition to his concerns for the sprouting industry in Pakistan, he had immense desire to establish and sponsor welfare projects for the under privileged class of the country.