by Gohar Ejaz

ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr Gohar Ejaz has worked relentlessly for the betterment of Pakistan and society, especially the vulnerable sectors by helping to provide quality health, education, and job opportunities. As Patron-in-Chief All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, he has been instrumental in fostering a turnaround in the Textile sector of Pakistan which has created millions of new jobs as well as generating an additional $6-7 billion worth of exports by the Textile sector alone in a short span of 2 years.

Textile exports went from $13 billion in FY18 to $19.4 billion in FY22. An increase of over 40% in this short period. Due to these crowning achievements, on the occasion of 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of Pakistan, 14th August 2022, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has conferred Dr Gohar Ejaz with the second highest ‘Pakistan Civil Award’, ‘HILAL-i-IMTIAZ’ for showing excellence & courage in serving the State and his services to international diplomacy.

Dr Gohar Ejaz’s philanthropic services to community to provide improved health & educational facilities have proved helpful in changing the lives of millions of Pakistanis. The Investiture Ceremony will take place on Pakistan Day, 23rd March 2023.

Dr Gohar Ejaz is a seasoned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and prominent industrialist who proudly represents the emerging Textile sector of Pakistan. Being a staunch believer in Export-led Economic Growth for the country, Dr Ejaz has worked tirelessly for improving the export-oriented textile sector of Pakistan. Advocating for the rights of a prominently excelling export sector with the potential to turn around the fortune of Pakistan and its industry for a stable economic future for over 30 years. The driving factor behind such a stellar growth rate was the availability of Energy at Regionally Competitive rates to the industry, for which Dr Ejaz has has struggled endlessly. His fight for the rights of the textile sector and his conviction to steer Pakistan through the present-day economic crisis has shone as bright as the North Star.

He received Sitara-e-Imtiaz – the Highest Civilian Award by then President of Pakistan in 2011, as an acknowledgement of his selfless services for the improvement of the community and the business sector of Pakistan. Dr Ejaz has also been recognized for his outstanding services in business management with an Honorary Doctorate in Management from the University of Punjab, Lahore. His tenacity to resolve issues affecting Pakistan’s industries and persistence in pushing Pakistan’s export industry for a sustainable economic future.

Under his leadership, the textile industry has been able to bring new investments – expansion of $5 billion to invest in modern-day technological advancements and factories which has created millions of jobs and livelihood for the unprivileged segment of our community.

Gohar Ejaz aptma achievements

Under the Leadership of GOHAR EJAZ

As CHAIRMAN, APTMA Punjab (2009-2010)
  • Free market mechanism.
  • No intervention in the export or domestic sale of yarn.
  • Load-shedding exemption secured for Prime User member mills on independent & grouped feeders.
  • Inspite of increased gas shortage, gas curtailment days reduced from 77 days to 55 days.
  • For the first time, C.N.G. sector included in gas load management programme.
  • Minimal and deferred impact of gas ensured.
  • NPO Energy audit of 50 textile mills completed.
  • Successful installation of Energy Management System in 25 selected mills in collaboration with G.T.Z. (Germany).
  • Profitability of industry restored.
  • Exemption of customs duty on machinery & equipment imported by Textile Industrial Units secured.
  • Technology Up-Gradation Support Order secured for 2010 with 50% support extended.
  • Mark-up Rate Relief secured against Long Term Loans.
  • Establishment of Pakistan Cotton Forum.
As CHAIRMAN, APTMA Punjab (2010-2011)
  • Achievement of 14 billion dollars textile export target first time in Pakistan history.
  • Transfer of 300 billion rupees to cotton farmers.
  • PCCC restructuring, establishment of center of excellence for cotton research, APTMA management on PCCC.
  • Establishment of APTMA energy management cell in the collaboration with GIZ Germany to support textile industry in energy efficiency and security.
  • Exemption from load shedding for Textile industry/member (Prime Consumers) mills of APTMA on independent & grouped feeders.
  • No Electricity Load shedding to member mills during winter and minimum load shedding during summer for non prime member mills.
  • For the first time sharing of gas shortfall by all stakeholders including, fertilizer, IPPs and CNG sectors.
  • Zero rating of sales tax for the Textile sector vide SRO 283(I)/2011/1125(I)2012.
  • Restoration of exemption on machinery and plant import from sales tax vide SRO 411.
  • Withdrawal of SED of 2.5%.
  • Establishment of new regional office in Faisalabad to facilitate the member mills located in Faisalabad cluster.
  • APTMA image elevated, public advocacy, issues representation at the highest office.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).
APTMA Achievements (2011-2012)
  • Successfully represented matters relating to sales tax and zero rating.
  • Handled the issues of sales tax notices issued to members under section 25 and 38 regarding SRO 283 and 1125.
  • Reduction of GIDC from Rs. 100 per MMBTU to Rs. 50 per MMBTU.
  • Ban on CNG Kits and new connections.
  • Constitution of Prime Minister Task Force on Energy with Chair by APTMA leader.
  • Record production of cotton due to free market mechanism proposed by APTMA.
  • Maximum gas supply share of Industry among CNG and Fertilizer sector.
  • Reduction in turnover tax from 1% to 0.5%.
  • Five days a week basis gas supply during summer.
  • Exemption from electricity load shedding during summer with just 25% load reduction.
  • APTMA join Hands with other major industries e.g. Fertilizers and power sectors and founded a “Save Industry Forum Pakistan”.
  • Establishment of Sustainable Production center of APTMA in collaboration with GIZ.
  • Proposals for LNG Imports, TAPI and IPI for managing the energy crisis at the earliest.
  • Reduction in discount rate by 150 basis points.
APTMA Achievements (2012-2013)
  • Availability of gas supply to the member mills on hourly basis for 7 days a week.
  • Successful representations in the Supreme Court of Pakistan with respect to equitable electricity load shedding to obtain relief from load shedding to the textile industry.
  • Change/ Improvement of priority order of gas allocation policy for the captive power.
  • Energy security initiatives proposals/solutions including short term, medium term and long term.
  • Record efforts made to seek relief from load shedding for prime member mills of APTMA.
  • Maximum gas supply share of Industry among CNG and Fertilizer sector.
  • Successfully represented matters relating to sales tax and zero rating.
  • Handled the issues of sales tax of members regarding Sales Tax Notification SRO 154 (1)/2013.
  • Reduction of WHT deduction rate to 1% from 2%.
  • Reduction in discount rate by 100 basis points.
  • Successfully made in-roads to the newly elected federal government.
  • APTMA join hands with all other textile sector associations to save the textile industry.
  • Initiatives on Energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, CSR and Sustainability under SPC.
  • Announcement of Triple Bottom Line (People-Planet-Profit) strategy adoption for the betterment of Textile Industry of Pakistan.
  • APTMA image building as largest and premier industry association of Pakistan globally.
  • Studies and Efforts made for PCCC structure improvement.
  • Emerged APTMA as a leading public advocacy organization of Pakistan.
  • Renovation of APTMA Lahore Office & meeting hall.
  • Initiatives carried to change perception of Pakistan internationally and to market the textile industry of Pakistan, i.e. Representations to the Ambassadors, Trade/Fashion Shows.