When Ilyas Chohan arrived in the United States at the age of eighteen, he carried nothing but determination, dignity, and the belief that hard work could build a better life. His first step was with Pizza Boli’s franchise, a small job that turned into a lifelong journey. For thirty-seven years, Pizza Boli’s was not just his workplace, it was his proving ground. He grew with the franchise, and the franchise grew with him, representing the first pizza chain in America owned by Pakistani immigrants. His story stands as a proud example of immigrant perseverance and achievement.
Yet Ilyas’s ambition went far beyond business. In 2002, he stepped into politics, volunteering with Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and discovering the power of civic engagement. He later joined the campaigns of Barack Obama in Ohio (2008) and Pennsylvania (2012), supported Donna Edwards’ U.S. Senate bid in 2016, and Vicki Almond’s campaign in 2018. Each effort built his experience and broadened his network. Encouraged by friends and supporters, Ilyas made history in 2022 when he ran for the Maryland State Senate, District 44. Though he did not win, he became the first Pakistani American from Maryland to contest for the Senate, igniting excitement across the East Asian American community and drawing many first-time participants into the democratic process. His campaign became a milestone in representation and civic empowerment.
At home, Ilyas is guided by his greatest pride: his family. A devoted husband and father, he celebrates the achievements of his two daughters, both college students in Pennsylvania on full scholarships. His siblings remain equally close—five brothers and two sisters, including one sister in England and a younger brother serving honorably in the U.S. Army. Together, the family embodies the values of service, resilience, and togetherness.
Their commitment extends across continents through the "Sakina Aziz Foundation", named after Ilyas’s beloved parents. This family-led charity has transformed the lives of over fifteen young women in Pakistan, providing them with the gift of education. Many of these girls had never been to school before, and some had been abandoned by their fathers. Today, they are pursuing college degrees, their dreams no longer held back by poverty or tradition. For Ilyas, this work is deeply personal: “Let us give them the dowry of education,” he often says, “because knowledge does not only change lives—it uplifts entire communities.”
On the local level, Ilyas’s generosity is without hesitation. He has been a consistent supporter of Masajid and charities across the Baltimore area, ensuring that community needs are met with dignity and compassion. He is known not only for his leadership and confidence, but also for his warmth, friendliness, and ethical presence.
Beyond his work and service, Ilyas is an explorer at heart. Having travelled to forty-seven states, he finds beauty in every corner of America. His favorites—West Virginia, Colorado, Utah, Maine, Santiago (CA), and Westminster (MD)—are places that remind him of nature’s vastness and the diversity of people and experiences that shape the nation he calls home.
Through his life, Ilyas Chohan has shown that true success is not measured in titles or wealth, but in the lives touched, the opportunities created, and the communities strengthened. A high achiever, a tireless worker, a political activist, a generous neighbor, and a family man—his story is one of perseverance, leadership, and service that continues to inspire those around him.