Finance Department

Ayyaz Asim

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary

Introduction


Mr. Ayyaz Asim is Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) for more than last Five (5) years. He is an Associate Member (ACA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP). He has more than nine (9) years post qualification and fourteen (14) years industry experience of the large Manufacturing Units i.e., Textile Groups, Banking & Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) at key management positions in the field of Finance, Accounts, Audit, ERP, Corporate Laws & Taxation.



Secretariat

Asif Farooqi

Secretary

Introduction


Muhammad Asif Farooqi has over 26 years of experience in Human Resource Management, Administration and IT. He has worked with various National and Multinational companies in Pakistan including Daewoo and binder Inc.


Additional Information


His core competencies include Human Resource Management, Administration, Legal and Regulatory Compliance. Asif Farooqi holds a Master of Business Administration (HRM) degree from Preston Institute of Management Sciences and Technology (PIMSAT), Karachi.



Media and Public Relations

Kashmala Shahid

Executive Manager Operations

Introduction


Having an experience of six years in media management, marketing & corporate communications. Ms Kashmala Shahid is working in the capacity of Executive Manager Operations at APTMA. Managing APTMA’s print, electronic & digital space, Ms Kashmala is the focal person for liaising with the government officials, media outlets, embassies & corporate entities. She has executed & organised noteworthy PR activities/events to expand & explore the networking avenues for APTMA.

Ms Kashmala supervises the overall Media, HR & Admin operations of APTMA and assists the Secretary-General with the official correspondence, operational workflow and official developments. Her core abilities include PR & Corporate Affairs, Media Management, Designing and has supervised the publication of annual compendium 2022.


Past Experience


Previously she has worked with Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) as a Media Analyst for four years, and led a team in Information Operations Department. She has also worked with TEDX as Director External Affairs for TedXCOMSATS chapter & as an Ambassador with Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Pakistan.

Kashmala’s profile can be viewed at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kashmalaskhattak/



Research and Development

Dr Muhammad Javed

Cotton Advisor

Introduction


Working as Cotton Advisor for the supervision of all cotton R&D related activities in APTMA to revive cotton production in the country. He obtained his PhD from Bahauddin Zakariy University, Multan Pakistan, and University of Georgia USA in the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, respectively. He is also a M.Sc. (Hons.) Gold Medalist from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. He is specialized in molecular breeding of major field crops and his core focus of research is cotton breeding for high yielding varieties having resistant against biotech and A biotech stresses competing the current environmental conditions along with superior lint traits from the sustainable supply of raw cotton to textile industry.

Dr. Javed is well renowned and internationally acclaimed cotton breeder. He has developed several high yielding cotton varieties which are being commercially approved and available to farmers through proper channel by Government of Pakistan. Bt Cotton varieties developed by him like SAHARA-120, SAHARA-150 is approved for general cultivation in Punjab and SH-BURAQ in Sindh. Recently his developed variety SAHARA-300 performed at number one in the yield at SPOT Examination trials where all new varieties are tested with the same production technology. Dr. Muhammad Javed is author of numerous research publications of scientific merit in well reputed national and international high impact journals. He has over 12 years of research, cotton breeding and industrial experience in various prestigious Research and Development organizations in Pakistan.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  1. Breeding for high yield, drought & heat tolerant, CLCuV tolerant, short duration and high lint percentage varieties of cotton
  2. Breeding for salt tolerant varieties of cotton,
  3. Exploration of sources for drought tolerance in cotton,
  4. Identification of sources for hybrid program in cotton
  5. Cotton Molecular Breeding
  6. Cotton Breeding
  7. CRISPR/Cas9 Technique
  8. Gene Identifications

Research Project of PhD

QTLs mapping linked with cotton leaf curl disease resistance and morphological traits in cotton using microsatellite markers”.

PAST experience

Head of Seed division and R&D Patron Group

He previously worked as Head of Seed division and R&D Patron Group Pakistan to perform following major duties for the period of about 12 years.


Additional Information


VISITING Scientist University of Georgia

As a visiting scientist he worked at Cotton Molecular Breeding Laboratory, University of Georgia, Tifton GA, U.S.A to perform following duties.

  • To Complete PhD Research project under HEC International Research Support Initiative Program.
  • Genotyping of 300 F2 population using SSR markers, to identify the molecular markers responsible for CLCuD.
  • Identification of Major QTLs responsible for Cotton Leaf Curl Disease using intera- specific crosses in upland cotton.
  • Sowing of Cotton germplasm for Breeding program for different objectives at University of Georgia research farm.

Achievements:

  • Development of many cotton varieties which are being registered and under registration through Government of Pakistan Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Government of Pakistan.
  • Bt Cotton variety SAHARA-120 gets approved by Punjab Seed Council for general cultivation in the Punjab province during2017.
  • Bt Cotton variety SAHARA-150 gets approved by Punjab Seed Council for general cultivation in the Punjab province during2018.
  • Bt Cotton variety SH-BURAQ gets approved by Sindh Seed Council Pakistan for general cultivation in the Sindh province during 2020.
  • Cotton breeding program succeed in the development of other Cotton Cultivars, Bt Cotton variety contains triple genes including GT gene for glyphosate resistant SAHARA KLEAN-5, got 1st position in yield during NCVT 2019 among triple gene varieties. Bt Cotton variety contains double genes SAHARA-2020, (Two-year data completed through NCVT), Bt-Cotton SAHARA-210 (One-year data completed through NCVT).
  • Joint venture with CEMB Punjab university were signed during 2016 for Double gene Bt cotton varieties, Two double gene varieties SAHARA-2020 and Nu-21 screened and get permission from National Bio-Safety Commission for trials(NCVT-2017).
  • Introduction and development of many Paddy Hybrid Seed varieties from China, like RUBY, CHANDANI, OPAL, ARROZ, SAHARA-999 and Nu-Hybrid having yield potential of 150 mounds/acre.
  • Introduction and development of four SSG Sorghum Hybrid Seed varieties, SAHARA- SUPPER GRASS, SAHARA HI SUPPER, NU-GRASS, NU-GRASS ULTRA from south Africa, USA and Australia.
  • Productively sprint the seed division in advantageous way, the production and development of seed products as well as facilitate the farmers to increase their per acre yield of different crops.
  • Successfully completed assignments for development of many agricultural based products and advised farmers regarding latest techniques for better crop protection and production.

Dr. Javed profile can be viewed at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-javed-hassan-a7416b45/



Policy Research and Analysis

Asad Abbas Shah

Senior Research Analyst (On Study Leave)

Introduction


Asad Abbas Shah is a Research Economist and a professional employee with more than 3 years of working with APTMA. He played a key role in drafting Pakistan’s Textile Policy Proposals 2020-25 on behalf of APTMA. He is well versed in policy matters, conducting research, and preparing detailed policy reports.  He has written many articles in all leading newspapers advocating for the issues faced by the textile sector of Pakistan and has started to make his name among economists and policymakers.

He has been consistently performing well throughout the tenure of his career, and keeping the same in view, he has been promoted to the position of Senior Research Analyst with enhanced responsibilities by involving him in matters related to the power and gas sector. He has been dealing with the energy and gas sector issues for quite some time and has attained significant exposure in the field.

His areas of interest are energy economics, applied economics, and industrial economics. He is proficient in data handling & analysis, energy issues, and cotton-related matters. He has done his Masters and MPhil in Economics from Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad.


Projects


His areas of interest are energy economics, applied economics, and industrial economics. He is proficient in data handling & analysis, energy issues, and cotton-related matters. He has done his Masters and MPhil in Economics from Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad. Currently, Mr. Asad is pursuing his doctoral studies from abroad.

Asad’s profile can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/asad-naqvi-639ba028/



Research & Development

Syed Absar Ali

Senior Economist

Introduction


Syed Absar Ali is Senior Economist at APTMA. His prior experience includes working at the WTO in Geneva, and CERP in Lahore. He has a master’s degree in international economics from the Geneva Graduate Institute and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Clark University.



Policy Research and Analysis

Amna Urooj

Development Research Specialist

Introduction


Ms. Amna Urooj is a seasoned Development Research Specialist at APTMA where she supervises economic, energy and sustainability matters and drafts policy briefs, showcases her ability to bridge theory with practical implementation. With an M.Phil in Public Policy from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Policy (Hons.) from the National Defence University, she embodies excellence in academia and professional practice.
Amna’s dedication to policy development is exemplified by her diverse skill set, including project management, stakeholder engagement, comprehensive research, and writing abilities. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives, focusing on areas such as energy dynamics and sustainability compliance, and has effectively advocated for sectoral interests at governmental forums.
Her commitment to continuous learning is underscored by an impressive array of certifications, ranging from World Bank’s Reproducible Research Fundamentals Course to Climate Action Training.
Amna’s dedication extends beyond her professional endeavors; she actively contributes to global sustainability efforts as a former Local Pathway Fellow (2023) with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth, where she executed impactful projects aligned with SDG 11.
In addition to her professional achievements, Amna is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, as evidenced by her role as an Inspiring Women Ambassador and her numerous local as well as international newspaper publications addressing critical socio-economic issues.
With her wealth of experience, academic prowess, and commitment to driving positive change, Amna Urooj continues to be a driving force in the realm of policy research and analysis.
Amna’s profile can be viewed at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-urooj-74740680



Sustainability and Compliance

Noreen Akhtar

Research Associate – Sustainable Development

Introduction


Ms. Noreen Akhtar belongs to Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan and is currently working as Research Associate – Sustainable Development at APTMA.

Ms. Noreen has pursued her MSc. in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) in 2021, via Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Program Scholarship by the European Union. Her interdisciplinary extensive coursework covered major themes of sustainability, including but not limited to, climate change; sustainable water management; EIA and resilience of socio-ecological systems. Her MSc. research focused on climate change impacts and resilience in the mountain communities of Pakistan. Noreen completed her BSc. in Environmental Sciences from the Asian University for Women (AUW), Bangladesh. Her BSc. thesis on impacts of pharmaceuticals on aquatic animals was presented during SETAC Conference 2020 North America 41st Annual Meeting and ICNST, AUW, Bangladesh.

At APTMA, Ms. Noreen is involved in writing research articles on the sustainability progress of Pakistan’s textile industry, major challenges and the way forward. She has published several articles.


Previous Experience


Previously, Ms. Noreen has worked as research associate for several projects. She worked as data reviewer for a project ‘Naturvation’ funded by the European Union. She has also worked with INGOs including IUCN and WaterAid as project and research intern. She worked as independent environmental consultant and consulting associate with a consulting firm.

Ms. Noreen’s profile can be viewed at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/noreen-akhtar-4b625997/



Research and Development

Muhammad Mubasal

Economic Analyst

Introduction


Muhammad Mubasal is an Economic Analyst at APTMA, equipped with rich experience from his previous roles at UNDP and COMSATS University Islamabad. He joined APTMA in July 2023. At APTMA, his job includes analyzing the economic condition of the country, figuring out different issues faced by the textile sector and the economy in general. His expertise extends to macroeconomics and cutting-edge areas like cryptocurrency, NFTs, tokenomics, and blockchain technology. This blend of traditional economic analysis and interest in frontier technologies accentuates his comprehensive understanding of the field.

Mubasal’s profile can be viewed at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-mubasal/


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