The School of Design and Textiles at the University of Management and Technology (UMT) organized the 9th Two-Day International Conference on Textile and Clothing. The event was inaugurated and ribbon cutting ceremony was done by the Provincial Minister of Industry and Trade, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain.
The conference was attended by Rector UMT Dr Asif Raza, Director Research & Innovation Professor Abid Sherwani, Dean Dr Mumtaz Malik, Dr Muddasir Abbas, Asad Shafi, Dr Tanveer Hussain, Naeem Butt and a large number of students. Over 300 national and international scholars and researchers attended the conference and presented more than 40 research papers. Additionally, experts from the textile and fashion industry held special sessions on virtual product development and fiber recycling.
In his address, Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain appreciated UMT’s significant role in promoting quality technical education. He stated that the textile sector is very important to Pakistan’s economy, providing vast employment opportunities. He mentioned that the government has taken various measures to support the growth of this sector to further stabilize the national economy. Shafay also highlighted the development of the Garment City at the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura, where the government is constructing buildings for industrial units to lease out. Furthermore, the textile industry and technology from China will be transferred to the Garment City, which will modernize the local industry.
Chaudhry Shafay Hussain also mentioned that the government is working on seed development programs that will increase cotton production and benefit farmers. He informed that special incentives are being offered to investors in Punjab’s Special Economic Zones, including a 10-year income tax exemption and one-time duty-free importation of machinery.
UMT Rector Dr Asif Raza, while addressing the conference, welcomed all guests and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to find solutions to research and industry challenges. He noted that UMT is shaping the future leaders and entrepreneurs who will play a key role in the country’s development. He further emphasized that all resources must be leveraged to put Pakistan on the path to progress. UMT, through its School of Design and Textiles, is fostering innovation within the industry and this conference will help identify key actions to address the sector’s challenges.
Director of Research and Innovation, Professor Abid Sherwani stated that the textile sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, being the largest employer and the highest taxpayer. He stressed the need to further strengthen Pakistan’s textile policy to promote the sector’s growth.
At the conclusion of the conference, Professor Abid Sherwani and Dr Asif Raza presented a commemorative souvenir to Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain in recognition of his contributions.