Muhammad Saleem

The weaving industry stands at a critical crossroads and may collapse if the government does not ban fabric imports. If this vital sector shuts down, thousands of hardworking families will struggle to make ends meet.

Talking to WealthPK, Waheed Ahmed, a weaving unit owner, said fabric imports will severely impact Pakistan’s weaving industry, similar to what happened with the spinning sector. He said certain negative elements, posing as industrialists, are supporting fabric imports and are failing to speak up on this crucial issue.

He said fabric imports will push the local weaving sector to the brink of collapse, forcing owners to lay off their workers. The country is already facing a serious unemployment crisis, and importing fabric will only worsen the situation. He said some elements are prioritizing personal profit over national interest.

“In the past, the government formulated strategies in consultation with the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). However, this time, we’re seeing a shift, as only value-added sector exporters are being prioritized in decision-making,” he claimed.

“By neglecting the foundation of the textile sector – the weaving industry – we cannot progress or ensure long-term sustainability,” he warned, urging the government to acknowledge the importance of the weaving sector, which supplies fabric to the value-added industry.

“The weaving sector in Faisalabad provides employment to hundreds of thousands of people and produces 11 million meters of fabric daily. The closure of weaving units due to fabric imports will harm local fabric markets, processing, printing, and the export sector,” he said.

Speaking to WealthPK, Muhammad Zahid, a yarn trader, said this issue is becoming a growing concern, as many believe increasing imports will not benefit but instead severely hurt local manufacturers and the spinning sector. He said Faisalabad’s yarn market was once the largest in Asia, where billions of rupees in business were routine.

He said yarn imports have left countless people unemployed and undermined investor confidence, as investors typically buy yarn bags based on seasonal demand in summer and winter. “This time, I believe manufacturers – not spinners – are going to be hit hardest due to fabric imports,” he warned.

“Everyone knows the world has become a global village, but this should not come at the cost of depriving locals of their livelihoods. Just as other governments protect their domestic industries from the negative effects of globalization, our government must do the same,” said Zahid.

“The textile sector is already under immense pressure from multiple challenges, including political instability, higher energy costs compared to competitor countries, and soaring raw material prices. Efforts must be made to ensure a level playing field for the textile industry rather than erecting new barriers to its growth,” Muhammad Zahid said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk