Bashir Ali Mohammad

Bashir Ali Mohammad is a business leader in Pakistan who is chairman of the Gul Ahmed Textile Mills and the Pakistan - Britain Advisory Council. He is the son of the late Haji Ali Mohammad, the philanthropist and entrepreneur who introduced Pakistan’s first national branded drink Pakola.

Mohammad's major business interest is as chairman of the diversified Gul Ahmed Group which includes Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited, Gul Ahmed Energy Limited, Metropolitan Bank Limited, Swisstex Chemicals (Pvt) Limited, and Arwen Tech (Pvt) Limited. In the past he has been the chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association and served on the Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan.

On May 4, 2005, he suffered a heart attack on a flight to Colombo. He was to form part of a trade delegation along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who was with him during the flight.^[1]

Over the years his family, due to its association with the Pakola beverage, had come to be known as Pakolawalas.

Mohammad is also on the fundraising board of the Aga Khan University Hospital. The family is recognized as being extremely charitable and conservative in nature and continues to assist with charitable institutions within Pakistan. They are especially known for establishing medical centres and providing funds to assist people with education and housing. The Nishat Group is also known for providing vast employment opportunities throughout Pakistani society.

Bashir Ali Mohammad was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a civilian by Pakistan's government. He received the award from President Musharraf.^[2]

On October 19, 2010, during the Annual Conference of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (TKMF) in São Paulo, the Committee of Management of the Federation elected Mohammad as the new President of the Federation for the following two years. He is the first Pakistani to hold this post.

References