Zahir Rahimtoola

Zahir Rahimtoola, Chief Executive Officer of ECOM PK, is a trailblazer in Pakistan’s fashion retail and eCommerce sectors. Holding Hotel Management certifications from École Hôtelier de Lausanne, Switzerland, and Cornell University, USA, Zahir began his professional journey at Holiday Inn Karachi (now Marriott Karachi) and later served as Corporate Manager, Guest Services at Pearl Continental Hotel. In 1991, he established one of Pakistan’s earliest textile buying houses, representing prominent US and European brands such as Urban Outfitters, Columbia Sportswear, and Capital Mercury Shirt Corporation. His entrepreneurial vision led to the launch of LABELS in 1996, Pakistan’s pioneering fashion retail chain, followed by the country’s first Original Levi’s & Dockers Store under Levi Strauss USA license in 2000. In 2012, Zahir co-founded ECOM PK, introducing Pakistan’s first online fashion retail store and enabling digital solutions for leading brands like Khaadi, Bonanza, Al Karam, and Generation. ECOM PK also spearheaded the Emerging Pakistan digital branding initiative for the Ministry of Commerce and facilitated Pakistan’s debut at Milan Fashion Week in collaboration with Italian designer Stella Jean, showcasing embroidery by women artisans from Kalash, Chitral, and Hunza. During the Covid pandemic, ECOM developed a free-of-cost Covid Portal for the Government of Pakistan and later created an online trade portal for TDAP. Beyond business, Zahir serves on the Governing Body of The Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation and is an active member of Sind Club and Karachi Boat Club. He has recently been appointed Director of the Thar Coal Rail Connectivity Project by the Government of Sindh as their nominee on the Board of Directors.