- Govt should support new brands with stable policies, finance, incentives, and innovation for growth
Interview with Muhammad Ayub Khan, Executive Director Ishtiaq Textile Mills Ltd
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Muhammad Ayub Khan: From a young age, I demonstrated a strong competitive and leadership mindset, earning a degree in Textile Engineering and serving as President of the student body in my final year.
My professional journey has been defined by rapid responsibility and strategic expansion — heading a textile mill by 27, launching my own knitting operation, diversifying into construction, co-founding a textile mill in Nooriabad, and later acquiring and managing an existing mill in partnership.
In parallel, I remain engaged in trading and advisory roles as a textile consultant. I was raised in a middle-class, educated family with no business lineage.
PAGE: What is your perspective about leading brands in Pakistan?
Muhammad Ayub Khan: Leading brands in Pakistan succeed because they build trust, maintain consistent quality, understand local consumers, and have strong distribution networks. Reliability matters more than hype.
PAGE: How would you comment on Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a brand?
Muhammad Ayub Khan: Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a strong national sports brand that has built high visibility, emotional connection, and commercial value in a short time. It successfully promotes Pakistani cricket talent, attracts sponsors, and engages fans, though it still has potential to grow globally.
PAGE: What is your standpoint on brand value and creating international brands by Pakistanis?
Muhammad Ayub Khan: Pakistan has strong potential to create international brands due to its talent, entrepreneurship, and cost advantage. However, building global brand value requires consistent quality, innovation, strong governance, and long-term vision rather than short-term gains.
PAGE: What should be the policies of the government in supporting new brands?
Muhammad Ayub Khan: The government should support new brands through stable policies, easy access to finance, tax incentives, export facilitation, IP protection, and support for innovation and skills development to help brands grow sustainably.