Amina, Kashif Ashfaq, Farooq Malik, Maqbool Illahi, Shahbaz Aslam, Mian Umair and Shahzad Mughal. —

Pakistan Furniture Council: Promoting furniture trade across the country

PFC aims to combine "sustainable practices with the best networking and education in our industry"
Published November 5, 2015

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Formed on November 23, 2011, the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), defines itself as "a non-profit balanced coalition of furniture manufacturers and designers formed to promote sustainable practices with the best networking and education in our industry."

Amina, Kashif Ashfaq, Farooq Malik, Maqbool Illahi, Shahbaz Aslam, Mian Umair and Shahzad Mughal.
Amina, Kashif Ashfaq, Farooq Malik, Maqbool Illahi, Shahbaz Aslam, Mian Umair and Shahzad Mughal.

The council was established to promote furniture trade in Pakistan and developed a strategy to organise and carry out exhibitions under the name "Interiors Pakistan."

The Expos are a major step towards initiating international trade, as they serve to lay the groundwork for Pakistani furniture manufacturers to participate in international fairs as a collaborative industry in future.

April 2013

Interiors Pakistan held their first Interiors & Furniture Exhibition under this brand in April 2013. Pakistan's top furniture manufacturers and designers displayed their work in this exhibition which was held at the Expo Centre in Lahore.

December 2014

PFC organised its second Interiors Pakistan in December 2014 at the same venue where more than 40 companies producing furniture participated, and more than 100,000 visitors came over three days.

In addition, the Pakistan Furniture Council has also helped associated sectors and trades such as furnishings industry professionals with support, education and by developing standards for sustainability.


Understanding the PFC

The goal of PFC is to promote furniture trade in Pakistan and their scope is to work for the interests of designers, manufacturers and retailers of furniture in Pakistan. The council is registered under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984.

Achievements include:

PFC will be publishing their first ever Furniture Resource Book 2015 in Pakistan.

Participated in "Life Style Pakistan" Delhi, India Exhibition.

Participated in "Home and Houseware Expo" 2012 at the Expo Centre in Lahore.

Pakistan Furniture Council organised its first Interiors & Furniture Expo on April 12, 2013.

Arranged a one-day training session on "Joinery and Finishing" at PIFD conducted by a foreign trainer, Rüdiger Zilske, an expert on the subjects.

PFC organised its second Interior Pakistan exhibition at Expo Lahore on December 5th-7th, 2014.


Message from the CEO

Mian Muhammad Kashif Ashfaq

Pakistan's furniture industry has made great strides over recent years and it has done so for multiple reasons – a growing interior design industry has paved the way for skilled workers and furniture manufacturers as interior designers have begun to cater to an international clientele and working to global benchmarks.

Cities such as Chiniot, Gujrat, Peshawar and Gojra are renowned for producing artisans who meet design and production challenges with great success. While the industry has massive achievements to its credits, there are major impediments preventing the growth, impacting sustainability, and restricting access to international business. Increasing costs, economic fluctuations, lack of awareness amongst consumers and legislative issues are adding to the instability of the furniture market.

The Pakistan Furniture Council was formed by leading furniture and interior entrepreneurs of Pakistan to address the concerns of the sector and to facilitate the growth and development of the entire industry. We are committed to meeting our environmental and corporate responsibilities while working for the interests of designers, manufacturers and retailers in Pakistan.

PFC invites established and upcoming furniture manufacturers to take membership, to help ensure that their voice is part of the organisation as we improve upon sustainability and accelerate growth. PFC aims to ensure industry friendly legislation such as Gain Favoured Industry Status, prevent use of Shisham in low value added furniture, ensure sustainable forestry and dedicated furniture export promotion zones.

As the furniture industry holds a significant share in the economy of Pakistan, a well established furniture industry will generate foreign exchange, develop a skilled workforce, create potential jobs and above all, make Pakistan's furniture industry a globally recognised leader.


Shahzad Mughal – CEO Workman

With such heavyweights on board, it goes without saying that PFC is the finest foundation to promote Pakistani furniture's excellence through design creativity and product innovation, through employment of modern technology.

To ensure technology up gradation within the industry, we anticipate on attracting German and Italian manufacturers to setup businesses in Pakistan and also facilitate benchmark visits. PFC is all set to augment and maximise the potential of Pakistani furniture manufacturers and traders.


Maqbool Illahi – CEO Mohkam Furnishers

PFC has taken upon the responsibility for being the patron of furniture trade in Pakistan. This platform aims to toil for the collective interest of the designers, manufacturers and retailers of furniture nationwide.

Our core values lie in sustainable development and effective marketing of local products in Pakistan and abroad. With Mohkam’s experience of over 35 years in the furniture manufacturing and retail industry, PFC has postulated a seamless dais for like-minded individuals to come together and work towards a focal goal.


Malik Farooq – Interwood

PFC has proactively identified and acquired key industry capabilities which strengthen Pakistan’s position in Asia’s furniture nucleus and simultaneously creates unlimited trade opportunities.

We’ve encouraged specialisation upstream, as well as downstream, and intend to improve the supply chain. PFC is the captain and the voice of the furniture industry - the nerve center where local furniture players can converge to view, source and trade for quality products.

With our current initiatives, including training, multi-branding, advertising and resourceful public relations, every stepping-stone is a learning experience in itself.


Shehbaz Aslam – Charagh Din & Co

The PFC is all about innovation, progress and appreciating this ancient art. We do not cater to just an industry, we cater to ideas and the skill required to make these ideas come to life. This company is not only about promoting the existing furniture business and the companies developed over the years, but also about filtering raw materials and reducing input capital to acquire maximum profit.

We encourage innovation and production in a manner which is efficient and sustainable, and our input sources and output markets are just as important. We pride our self in appreciating and preserving traditional skill, as well as adding the efficiency of modern methods by introducing training centers and exhibitions.

We, the directors thank the existing members for their support, hard work and effort; we hope to see the same and hopefully an extended commitment in the following years. We also welcome new applicants, investors and entrepreneurs. We hope to accommodate all members in order to provide mutual benefit. Our goal is to develop the furniture industry as well as to play our part in strengthening and investing in Pakistan's economy.


Amina Saeed – The Furniture Gallery

PFC has proactively identified and acquired key industry capabilities which strengthen Pakistan's position in Asia’s furniture nucleus and simultaneously creates unlimited trade opportunities.

We have encouraged specialisation upstream as well as downstream and intend to improve the supply chain.

PFC is the captain and voice of furniture industry. With our current initiatives of training, multi-branding, advertising and resourceful public relations, every stepping stone is a learning experience in itself.


Mudassir Shafi - Diamond Group

We manufacture products every day which make a difference in the lives of everyday Pakistanis. Products which enhance their quality of life, products which keep them and their loved ones safe, products which provide comfort and rest and products which helps them save on their energy consumption for smarter homes and businesses.

As part of the furniture industry, Diamond Group and Diamond Foam pledges support to the growth and development of the furniture and interior design industry of Pakistan, and will continue to work with key stakeholders such as PFC to facilitate programs and platforms such as Interior’s Pakistan Expo, which we have sponsored for three consecutive years now.

Celebrating Diamond Group’s 40th Year Anniversary, we recognise that as a responsible corporate citizen, we are integral as an organisation and are part of the fabric of a modern Pakistan.

Having played an important part in its history, we have a responsibility to contribute to its future, enabling a better Pakistan. We are proud to say that we will be embarking on initiatives which will make us more socially responsible and more socially aware, to contribute to causes that can help make a positive difference in this great nation of ours.

Our extraordinary journey over the last 40 years has been defined by simple qualities. The pursuit of innovation; the pursuit of excellence and the pursuit of life long relationships.

As pioneers and leaders in our field, we stand apart from our competition because we led with innovation and exceptional quality in the development of our products, focusing on what our customers and our partners needed. We delivered, and delivered with substance. Our products are accessible and affordable, ensuring no barriers exist to our promise of trust that we make with our customers and our partners.


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