Islamabad
Renowned industrialist and former Central Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) Shahzad Azam Khan has been appointed Chairman of the Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC), with the value-added and export-oriented textile industry welcoming his appointment and expressing confidence in his ability to further promote industrial investment and growth.
Shahzad Azam Khan has extensive experience in the industrial and export sectors and has remained closely associated with the value-added textile industry as well as industrial estate development.
He has served as Central Chairman of PHMA and has also served as former Chairman of the Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Exporters Association (PAKSEA) and former Minister for Labour, Government of Punjab. He has also been associated with PIEDMC and the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC).
After assuming the charge, Shahzad Azam Khan said PIEDMC would continue working to facilitate industrialists, promote investment and create an enabling environment for industrial growth in Punjab.
He said the growing demand from industry presented new opportunities and that PIEDMC was focused on developing industrial estates in a manner that could support investors and accelerate industrialisation.
The appointment has been welcomed by representatives of the value-added textile and apparel industry, who said Shahzad Azam Khan’s practical understanding of manufacturing, exports and industrial infrastructure would enable him to effectively address the concerns of the business community.
PHMA North Zone Chairman Abdul Hameed congratulated Shahzad Azam Khan and expressed confidence that his appointment would strengthen coordination between PIEDMC and the export-oriented textile industry. He said his long experience in the sector would help him understand the operational challenges faced by manufacturers and exporters.
Former PHMA Senior Vice Chairman Shafiq Butt also welcomed the appointment, saying Shahzad Azam Khan was well versed with the requirements of the value-added textile sector and could play an important role in attracting fresh investment and strengthening industrial estates in Punjab.
PRGMEA North Zone Chairman Imran Salahuddin congratulated the new PIEDMC chairman and said the readymade garments sector looked forward to closer cooperation with the company.
He stressed the need for efficient industrial infrastructure and a business-friendly environment to support export-oriented manufacturing.
Former PRGMEA Chairman Mubashir Butt said Shahzad Azam Khan’s appointment was a positive development for the industrial community. He expressed hope that PIEDMC would give greater attention to the practical needs of industries operating in its estates and facilitate expansion and new investment.
The industry representatives said Punjab’s industrial estates could play a much greater role in expanding manufacturing capacity, creating employment and increasing exports if infrastructure, utilities and investor facilitation were continuously improved.
They expressed confidence that Shahzad Azam Khan’s experience as an industrialist, exporter and former industry association leader would help PIEDMC strengthen its engagement with the private sector and contribute to sustainable, export-led industrial growth in the province.
