[4] Okarvi was born in Khem Karan, East Punjab, India, to Haaji Shaiekh Karam Ilaahi, a local businessman.

In 1954, he also established the Jaami'ah Hanafiyah Ashraf-ul-Madaaris on Grand Trunk Road in Okara and remained one of its mentors and sponsors.

The following year he became the lecturer and Imam of Memon Masjid and he founded Jamaat Ahle Sunnat and became its first chairman.

He visited the shrines of many spiritual and religious scholars as well as many notable mosques and historical holy places.

[2][3] In 1974, Okarvi formed the Jamaa'at e Ahle Sunnat in Durban, South Africa, which attracted up to 10,000 members.

While giving his statement to the police officer Okarvi said: He did not appoint a lawyer for this case or follow any hearings.

[21] On 23 March 1985, President Zia-ul-Haq awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) to Okarvi due to his contributions and religious services in Pakistan.

[1] In 2013, he was posthumously awarded the Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Gold Medal by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as a Pakistan Movement activist.