Innovation, Resilience, and the Future
At Texitech, we recently celebrated a monumental milestone: 30 years of excellence. To mark this occasion, we were deeply honored to host a true legend of science and education in Pakistan, Dr. Atta ur Rahman. The event was deeply personal for us. Dr. Rahman is not only a former Federal Minister and a globally renowned scientist but also the father of our CEO, Sohail ur Rahman. His address to the Texitech team was a masterclass in leadership, the power of the knowledge economy, and the disruptive technologies shaping our future.
A Legacy of Resilience
Dr. Rahman began with a touching tribute to the leadership of Texitech. Reflecting on the company’s three-decade journey, he used a powerful metaphor for the stability and resilience shown by CEO Sohail ur Rahman and his team.
“You have been sitting in the saddle on a horse, and it’s been a rough ride, but you have never fallen off… and you are still riding it very well for 30 years.”
The Knowledge Economy: People Over Resources
A central theme of the address was the fundamental shift in global economics. We no longer live in an era where natural resources define a nation’s wealth.
“Today’s world is a world of knowledge (Ilm), “Those countries are moving forward who have understood that their real wealth lies in their human resources.”
He drew a stark comparison between Pakistan and Singapore. While Singapore is a small nation with no natural resources and a population a quarter the size of Karachi, it boasts exports of $400 billion. In contrast, Pakistan’s exports hover around $30 billion. The difference, he explained, is a relentless emphasis on “quality education, science, technology, and innovation.
“Alice in Wonderland”: A Future Stranger than Fiction
Dr. Rahman took the audience on a journey through what he called “an Alice in Wonderland kind of world where truth is stranger than fiction,” highlighting disruptive innovations that are reshaping existence:
Gene Editing: CRISPR technology now allows for gene editing in weeks rather than thousands of years, potentially curing genetic diseases like thalassemia.
Reversing Aging: Research into chemical compounds that can not only slow down but potentially reverse the aging process.
Solar Revolution: New technologies, such as Photon Enhanced Thermionic Emission, are doubling solar efficiency rates to over 50%.
Materials Engineering: He spoke of Graphene (200 times stronger than steel) and “meta-materials” that can bend light to create invisibility cloaks.
During the Q&A session, the topic turned to Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Rahman offered a balanced perspective, describing AI as a “double-edged sword.”
“It’s like a knife. A knife can cut an apple; it can also cut a throat.”
While acknowledging safety concerns, he emphasized the immense potential of AI to do wonders if controlled properly. He cited the example of Nvidia, which recently overtook Microsoft in capitalization, driven entirely by the demand for AI hardware a sector Texitech is closely watching. He also shared his active contributions to this field, including leading a 40-billion-rupee national project to set up AI centers across Pakistan. A Message of Optimism Dr. Rahman concluded with advice that resonates with every member of the Texitech family as we look toward the next 30 years
“What you need is passion, you need the drive, you never take ‘no’ for an answer,”
He said. His final words to the team were a recipe for a resilient mindset:
“You should smile at your failures and you should laugh at your victories.
Bottom line… always be optimistic and then trust in Allah.”
As Texitech steps into its next decade, we carry these words with us, embracing innovation, valuing our human capital, and remaining optimistic about the digital future.
About
Texitech was founded in 1995 to meet the CAD/CAM needs of our sister company, a century-old leader in the textile industry. Within just two years, we emerged as a market leader, providing cutting-edge solutions to major textile companies from our offices in Faisalabad and Karachi. Our commitment to integrated solutions and exceptional support distinguished us in an evolving IT landscape.
In 2005, we expanded our focus to specialize in the distribution of branded IT products, continuously adapting to the ever-changing technology market. Today, with a team of over 150 professionals across four offices Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar we deliver innovative IT solutions that drive business growth and efficiency across multiple industries.
