ISLAMABAD: In a historic first for Pakistan’s textile sector, Zaki Bashir, CEO of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd., has been appointed to the Heimtextil Advisory Board, becoming the first Pakistani industry leader to join the prestigious global panel.
The announcement was made by Heimtextil, the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, which is organized by Messe Frankfurt. Mr. Bashir was officially welcomed by Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, Margit Herberth, Director of Heimtextil, and Omer Salahuddin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt SP Pakistan.
The leadership team praised Mr. Bashir’s inclusion as a landmark moment for Pakistan’s textile industry and an opportunity to bring new perspectives to the global stage.
The Heimtextil Advisory Board comprises senior figures from key textile associations and global companies, including the Association of the German Home Textiles Industry (HEIMTEX), UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), German Textile Retailers Association, and the German Wallpaper Industry (VDT).
Mr. Bashir, known for his innovative leadership at Gul Ahmed, brings extensive experience from Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated textile company. Under his stewardship, Gul Ahmed has become a global name recognized for quality, innovation, and sustainability.
His appointment is expected to strengthen Heimtextil’s global outlook and reaffirm Pakistan’s growing footprint in the international textile arena.
Pakistan’s rising influence in the sector is already evident. At Heimtextil 2025, over 3,000 exhibitors from around the world participated, with Pakistan ranking 4th globally in terms of exhibitor presence, represented by 275 companies.
The next edition of Heimtextil will be held in Frankfurt from January 13–16, 2026, where Pakistan is once again expected to have a strong presence.
