Wali Muhammad Yaqoob Ganatra was one of the Okhai Memon who had permanently settled in Karachi before the creation of Pakistan. He was born in Karachi in 1901. As a young memon he started his public activities by establishing Young Memons Association in 1925 and became its founder President. In 1930, he started a residential colony for Okhai Memon Community. He established memon Credit Cooperative Society in 1933, and was elected its President. In 1934, he was elected as a Member of the Municipal Corporation. Thereafter, he was elected continuously till 1954. In 1940, he was appointed as a member of Karachi Port Trust in which position he served for ten years. After the creation of Pakistan he continued to promote cooperative housing societies. In 1960, he was elected a member of the West Pakistan Assembly. He rendered notable services as a member of the Rural Advisory board and Governor of Lady Duffrin Hospital.
He also worked in the capacity of the chairman of the Pakistan Shipping Lines after which he concentrated his activities on social services to the people. His services are spread over a period of half a century. He died in 1971.