KnowTex History
KnowTex Project (GCF-063) was started in June 2021 under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Grand Challenge Fund, one of the largest research grants in Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Yasir Nawab was the principal investigator of this project. The project was started to improve the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s textile exports by using high-value indigenous resources, through well-trained manpower, product diversification, and the development of high-end textiles. This joint venture was initiated to enhance the socio-economic growth of Pakistan by establishing a strong linkage between academia and industry and other stakeholders such as textile associations and government institutions were also taken on board. The consortium for this project is composed of three universities at an earlier stage (NTU Faisalabad, NED University Karachi, and BUITEM, Quetta) & one research institute supported by the Ministry of Commerce, SMEDA, TUSDEC, Textile Associations (including All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Pakistan Ready Made Garments, and CLOA) and 20 major textile industries.
The Project was Divided into 8 Work Packages
Work package 1
Exploration of high-value indigenous natural fibers
Work package 2
Value-added textiles from Pakistani wool
Work package 3
Upgradation of indigenous Power looms
Work package 4
Transformation to manmade fibers’-based textiles
Work package 5
Indigenous development of novel and high-end textile value chains
Work package 6
Capacity Building using SMOT
Work package 7
Market Research, Branding, Marketing
Work package 8
Dissemination & Implementation
Impact and Achievements
KnowTex has significantly contributed to Pakistan’s textile sector across social, environmental, and economic domains. The project has:
✔ Strengthened exports by diversifying textile products and expanding market reach.
✔ Created new revenue streams through high-value textile innovations.
✔ Fostered entrepreneurship by supporting startups and technology transfer.
✔ Facilitated knowledge-sharing via the Pakistan Circular Textile Platform and international collaborations.
✔ Promoted sustainable industrialization through the licensing of new technologies and eco-friendly innovations.