The Global Procurement and Supply Chain Summit 2026 brought together senior sourcing and supply chain leaders from Pakistan’s textile industry to examine how evolving regulatory frameworks in Europe are altering procurement decisions and export competitiveness. The event, held at the Mövenpick Hotel, drew participation from prominent mills, technology firms, vendor networks, and trade bodies.
Speakers described a growing shift in global purchasing behaviour. Foreign buyers, particularly in the European Union, now expect complete visibility across production cycles and supply networks. This includes environmental metrics, fiber origins, energy usage, labor inputs, chemical applications, and post-consumer considerations. Participants noted that Pakistan’s textile exporters are adapting their procurement functions accordingly, with compliance and traceability becoming essential components of international trade negotiations.
The summit opened with remarks by Horizon Summit Management (HSM) Chairman Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and members of the advisory board. They highlighted regulatory developments in the EU such as digital product passports and environmental reporting standards. These measures are compelling mills to integrate certification systems, supplier documentation, and detailed data tracking into upstream operations. Mills that historically relied on price-led purchasing are now reconfiguring procurement models to satisfy compliance-linked criteria from foreign customers.
Throughout the sessions, speakers assessed how the textile sector is preparing for emerging European Green Deal requirements. Participants pointed to rising demand for certified cotton, recycled polyester, and bio-based fibers, along with scrutiny of energy inputs. Many mills are evaluating solar, biomass, and gas options to manage both emissions and cost volatility as energy usage increasingly forms part of customer reporting frameworks.
Digital traceability received considerable attention. Altaf Gul Muhammad, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Yunus Textile Mills Limited, stated: “The shift to digital product passports is forcing mills to rethink procurement from the seed stage. We are now tracking material, energy, chemistry and labor inputs far earlier than before because the customer demands full-chain reporting.”
Technology companies demonstrated tools for procurement planning, order forecasting, and vendor matching. Early adopters in the textile sector have begun using artificial intelligence to reduce excess inventory, optimize purchasing cycles, and improve energy monitoring in spinning and weaving units. Participants argued that efficiency gains of this kind can help absorb higher compliance costs without eroding margins.
Vendor capacity emerged as a central topic. Foreign buyers have expanded traceability expectations beyond finished production and now request lifecycle visibility from fiber to post-consumer handling. Hafiz Kashif, Director Operations at Artistic Milliners, stated: “Compliance cannot be achieved in isolation. If buyers demand traceability and carbon reporting but local vendors cannot meet those requirements, the entire chain breaks.” He noted that capacity-building support for upstream suppliers could strengthen documentation and certification reliability across the export ecosystem.
The discussion also touched on external market pressures. Restrictions on Chinese textile shipments entering the United States have diverted volumes toward the European Union and Middle Eastern markets, creating additional pricing pressure for Pakistani mills. Despite these pressures, participants argued that Pakistan retains competitive strengths such as vertical integration, GSP Plus access, and shorter lead times. However, they cautioned that these factors will only remain advantageous if exporters meet new compliance thresholds and provide credible documentation.
Liquidity constraints surfaced as a barrier to accelerated technology adoption and certification. Exporters cited delays in sales tax refunds and rebates that limit working capital. Participants described timely refund processing as a prerequisite for investment in compliance-related upgrades rather than as a demand for subsidies.
The Chief Guest, President and CEO of EXIM Bank of Pakistan, Shahbaz H. Syed, noted that Pakistan’s supply chain functions are adjusting to a more demanding global trade environment shaped by regulation, sustainability-linked procurement, and technology-driven cost management. He said that collaboration between industry, policymakers, and technology providers will be important as exporters navigate these changes.
Imran Mushtaq, Chief Procurement and Projects Officer at Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited, stated that buyer expectations have altered procurement dynamics inside mills. “We are moving from price-led buying to standards-led buying. Data, energy usage and sustainability metrics are now part of the purchasing conversation with our vendors and our customers,” he said.
Participants included representatives from Yunus Textile Mills, Gul Ahmed Textile Mills, Lucky Textile Mills, Liberty Textile Mills, Artistic Milliners, Rajby Industries, Soorty Enterprises, technology companies, industry associations, and trade bodies. Discussion throughout the day indicated that Pakistan’s export competitiveness will increasingly depend on improvements in procurement practices, vendor readiness, and policy coordination as foreign buyers expand compliance expectations in the years ahead.
