Meet the people behind the Bokhari brand

• Muhammad Akram, gardener

  

  Muhammad is one of four gardeners at the Bokhari Weaving Mill and LAMS School, and together they have created a small oasis full of colorful blooms. Muhammad has four children, a daughter and three sons, all of whom attended LAMS School, but are now adults and have moved away from home.
  As a gardener, Muhammad takes his job very seriously, but also considers himself privileged to work in a place that values ​​what he does. “I help create a calm and pleasant working environment here,” says Muhammad, “a place where my colleagues will want to spend time.”

• Rimsha Shafiq, ESG

  

  Rimsha is the ESG / sustainability focal point at Bokhari. She is responsible for ensuring that we have the right systems in place to ensure that everything we do is in line with international and our own high standards in environmental, social and business ethics. She is responsible for ensuring that we are up to date with all possible certifications such as ISO, Sedex SMETA, GRS, Fairtrade, Oekotex and others, and that we are constantly going the extra mile to become an even more responsible manufacturer of textiles and interior products. Rimsha sees herself as an environmentalist, which is precisely why she enjoys working at Bokhari. Another reason she enjoys her job is that the workplace has a culture that promotes women and protects their labor rights. As Rimsha says, “Every time I go to work, I feel safe, just like I am at home.”

• Imran Ali Bhatti, Cashier

  

  Imran has worked as a cashier at Bokhari for 29 years, first as an assistant to his father, then with primary responsibility for all the cash flowing in and out. Although there has been less cash in circulation over the years (most employees at the Bokhari Weaving Mill now receive their salaries directly into bank accounts and most invoices are paid online), it is still an important job for Imran. And he takes his job very seriously: “I do my work with full dedication and take full responsibility for all the cash in circulation here, so I will stay here as long as I am needed.” Let’s hope that cash doesn’t disappear anytime soon…

• Minahal Nadeem, Quality Assurance Manager

  

  Minahal is responsible for quality assurance at the Bokhari weaving mill, including developing and implementing good processes that will ensure quality control both at the product level, but also throughout the supply chain. Despite her young age, Minahal has a large and important responsibility, which she thinks is completely okay, but is still aware of her responsibility.

  At Bokhari, Minahal has had the opportunity to grow professionally. The challenges have been many, and often there are no clear answers to the solutions. Together with colleagues, Minahal has helped to raise quality assurance to a new level, which helps to ensure that Bokhari manages to maintain the strict quality requirements that are set, regardless of whether it is in terms of environmental requirements, product design or HSE.

  Minahal herself says that “the working environment here is so safe and good and has given me the freedom to explore new areas. The flexibility the work gives me, and the support I receive, means everything to me.”

• Muhammad Saeed, weaver

  

  Muhammad has worked as a weaver for over 20 years. It was his father who taught him to weave – he also worked at the Bokhari weaving mill in his time. Both his father and Muhammad are experts in Jacquard weaving, a technically complex weaving technique in which punched cards are used to create intricate patterns in the weaving. His wife weaves baskets of straw and palm leaves, and together they have a secure income that gives the family security and stability. They have three daughters and a son. The two eldest attend LAMS school, while the two youngest will start when they are old enough. Muhammad and his wife place great value on the school and the education their daughter receives. It will also help to secure their own old age, although they (like all employees at the Bokhari weaving mill) also have a good pension plan and health insurance.

• Saba Ashiq, seamstress
  

  Saba has been working at the sewing room at the Bokhari weaving mill for almost 2 years. She lives at home with her parents and her four siblings. Neither of her parents work, so Saba’s work contributes much-needed funds so that the family has a steady income. Saba herself went to school for a few years, but never finished high school. She therefore hopes that one day when she has daughters of her own, they will be able to attend the LAMS school next door, and choose the further education they want.

• Tanveer Ahmad, weaver
  

  Tanveer has worked as a weaver at Bokhari for 24 years. When he started, only rag rugs were woven, but today he also weaves carpets, runners, cushion covers, placemats and mats. A few years ago, Tanveer’s wife also started working at the weaving mill – she weaves baskets from seagrass. Together they have three children who all attend/have attended LAMS school. Their two daughters are in 3rd and 6th grade, while their son spent his first five years at LAMS, but is now in 8th grade at another school.
  Tanveer’s hope is that, if LAMS opens up for boys to continue after 5th grade (something we are working towards), then all the children will go to the same school again – and all his children will finish primary school.
  The work at the weaving mill, as well as the offer of free schooling, gives the family a secure income and opportunities to build a brighter future.
• Sana Zafar, Designer & Product Developer

  

  Sana is from Sultan Town, the suburb of the megacity of Faisalabad and the location of the Bokhari Weaving Mill and the LAMS School. She started as a student at the LAMS School at the age of 6, and attended all of her primary school there.
  In 2011, she graduated and applied for a job as an assistant computer teacher at LAMS, and eventually as a head teacher of computers and communications. She worked at the school for several years while taking evening courses in graphic design. With a growing interest in design and layout, and the need for these skills increasing at the Bokhari Weaving Mill, she was quickly picked up to contribute to product development and design, which is what she works on today.
  Today, Sana is married and has two sons, aged 4 and 2.5. The eldest will start at the LAMS School next year, and Sana is looking forward to her sons attending the same school she once attended.
  Regarding the future, Sana says: “My dream is for my sons to grow up to be kind, confident, and principled men. Men who support and respect women, help others, and lift up those around them. Whatever paths they choose in life, I hope they pursue their passions, build successful careers with integrity, and make a positive impact on the world, all while living happy, balanced, and fulfilling lives.”

• Noor Hussain, weaver

  

  Noor Hussain (68) is one of the oldest employees at the Bokhari weaving mill, and also among the first to be recruited as a weaver in the early 1990s when only rye was produced. Noor, who is about to turn 70, is called “grandfather” by his younger colleagues, but he refuses to retire.

  “As long as I have strength left in my body, and as long as the top is there, I will come to work every day,” he says with a big smile.

  Today, Noor uses his long experience to train young weavers in techniques that fewer and fewer can do. From classical weaving to jacquard weaving, Noor is the expert who knows most things. Continuous exploration of new materials and new products means that Noor never has a dull day at work, and if you have a rug, a placemat, a runner or a decorative cushion from Bokhari, there is a good chance that Noor has been involved.

  All of his 6 children have attended LAMS school and have gone on to other jobs. Noor himself never went to school, but is proud that his children, and grandchildren, can now read and write.

• Asia Nasrullah, artisan

  

  Asia Nasrullah is 29 years old, married and has three sons – two of whom attend the LAMS school next door. Asia has worked at the Bokhari weaving mill for four years, knitting and crocheting potholders and baskets.

  Asia herself has never been to school and can neither read nor write. That is why she values ​​her sons’ opportunity for a quality education. Asia’s husband works as a day laborer, which provides an uncertain income, so Asia’s work is the only steady income the family has, and helps cover the increasing costs of food and shelter.

  Asia’s dream is for her sons to have a better life than she and her husband have today, for them to get a good education and get good jobs so that they can support their families and their parents. The road to getting there is long, but she is on the way.

• Runa Klock, Creative Director & Designer

  

  Runa is a forward-thinking Norwegian designer with a focus on sustainability and social entrepreneurship. She has broad experience from designing quality products and exhibitions for leading brands and museums, to urban planning and apple juice production. Runa is the creative director at Bokhari and uses her knowledge, experience and passion to further develop Bokhari and design new products from sustainable materials. Runa lives in Sjøholt, Ålesund, and has a daughter.

• Amar Bokhari, CEO

  

  Amar is a passionate social entrepreneur with a background in development and humanitarian work. He has a passion for social and economic justice, with a particular focus on children and women’s rights. This is reflected in his vision for Bokhari to be a driving force in promoting sustainable solutions that also put people at the center. Amar is the CEO of Bokhari, responsible for the day-to-day operations and further development of the company. Amar lives in Oslo, has three daughters, and is married to Noor.