Karachi | June 24, 2025 — Ali Shaikhani, a U.S.-based businessman who rose to prominence through high-profile charity initiatives and Ramadhan transmissions in partnership with JDC, is once again in the spotlight. This time, he’s making waves in Pakistan’s digital economy with the launch of a new food delivery platform: FoodPapa.
Marketed as a local alternative to the well-established FoodPanda, FoodPapa was expected to offer a fresh, tech-driven food delivery experience. However, industry watchers and early users say the platform has so far failed to meet expectations.
In a widely circulated LinkedIn analysis, digital strategist Usman Minhas dissected the platform’s shortcomings in a post titled “FoodPapa vs FoodPanda | A Bold Move, But Poorly Executed.”
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Minhas applauded the intent behind the initiative — supporting local innovation — but criticized nearly every element of its launch:
“This is not just a delivery service, it’s a tech platform,” Minhas wrote, noting the app’s poor functionality, basic design, and repeated crashes.
He highlighted the absence of key startup fundamentals:
- No structured leadership (missing a proper CEO/CTO/CMO framework)
- No website — an unusual omission in 2025
- Fake employee profiles are hurting brand credibility
- No live restaurant integration at launch
- Weak brand messaging, heavily tied to charity rather than service quality
Minhas also remarked that FoodPapa feels more like a goodwill extension of JDC than a standalone, scalable company.
Despite the criticism, many still see potential in the venture — if it pivots quickly. Shaikhani’s visibility, financial resources, and goodwill within Pakistan’s social ecosystem could still serve as a launchpad for future iterations of the platform.
But as it stands, FoodPapa has entered the race limping, not sprinting — a cautionary tale for anyone hoping to disrupt mature markets without the foundations of tech, team, and timing.
