Muhammad Umar Waqqas
KARACHI: Pakistan’s textile industry, once celebrated as the country’s pride and the driving engine of our exports, now stands battered and weakened. The situation is grim: countless units have shut down, and many of the large-scale factories that once defined our industrial landscape never reopened. Today, only a handful of big giants-who had the resources to weather the storm-continue to survive. For the rest, particularly medium-sized entrepreneurs, the fight has been relentless and exhausting.
Industry veteran and textile affairs expert, Kashif Munawar, says “The sense of boom that once energized our industry is long gone. What makes this downfall even more tragic is the lack of meaningful government support. Instead of building policies that could sustain one of Pakistan’s most vital sectors, we were left to rely solely on ourselves. Entrepreneurs invested millions in modern machinery, embraced high-tech solutions, and tried to align with global demands. But without infrastructure, financial relief, or raw material development, these efforts could not establish a sustainable foundation. Today, making a comeback feels more difficult than ever. Every year, more skilled workers are leaving the field, seeking opportunities elsewhere. The pipeline of expertise that once kept our industry competitive is drying up. The human cost of this collapse is massive: thousands of families who depended on textile jobs are now struggling to survive.
Kashif Munawar says “The United States remains one of the largest and most lucrative markets for textiles, and Pakistan has the potential to earn far greater foreign exchange, especially with the recent tax exemptions in place. This condition is burdensome for Pakistan’s industry, particularly because we possess the natural ability to grow abundant, high-quality cotton ourselves. Yet, due to years of neglect and lack of government attention to seed development, research, and agricultural policy, we are failing to capitalize on this strength and instead remain dependent on imports. It is highly noticeable that Pakistan has recently emerged as the largest global importer of American cotton, marking a significant shift in international trade dynamics. This tragedy is due to a substantial shortfall in domestic cotton production, worsened by adverse weather conditions. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pakistan imported 1.192 million bales (each weighing 160 kg) of U.S. cotton, surpassing other major cotton-importing nations such as Vietnam, Turkey, and China. In response to this growing demand, U.S. cotton organizations, in collaboration with the U.S. government, are developing a policy aimed at incentivizing companies that purchase raw cotton from the U.S. These companies will be granted greater access to U.S. markets, boosting trade opportunities and fostering stronger business ties.”
He says “Critics argue Pakistan’s government shows ignorance toward its textile industry by delaying critical refunds, creating an unstable business environment, and failing to adapt to changing global demands for synthetic fibers, leading to financial stress, job losses, and a loss of market share. While textile policies exist, they often lack effective implementation, hindering the industry’s ability to access finance, invest in new technologies, and manage rising energy costs, despite the sector’s crucial role in Pakistan’s economy and exports. The root cause lies in our failure to address the most basic element of the textile chain-cotton. Cotton is our white gold, yet Pakistan does not even produce its own quality cotton seeds. Each year, we face shortages, inconsistent supply, and dependence on external sources. Without a solid cotton seed production policy, our industry will remain handicapped. Other countries have secured their agricultural base, ensuring that their textile sectors have uninterrupted access to raw material. We, meanwhile, continue to talk about potential while doing little to secure the fundamentals.”
Kashif added “The story of Pakistan’s textile industry is not one of inability, but of neglect. We have the skill, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the international demand. What we lack is a coherent national strategy. If the government recognizes the urgency of the moment and begins investing in cotton seed development, energy relief, and export facilitation, our industry can recover. But without immediate action, Pakistan risks permanently losing its place in the global textile supply chain.”
“Cotton is more than just a crop-it is our identity, our economic lifeline, and our chance at revival. If we do not protect and invest in this white gold, then the decline of Pakistan’s textile industry will not just be a business failure-it will be a national tragedy.” Kashif Munawar tells The Financial Daily.
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