An insight into Textile Industry of Pakistan

Engineering Post Report

Textile is the most important  manufacturing sector of Pakistan and has the longest production chair, with inherent  potential for value addition at each stage of processing  from cotton to ginning , spinning, fabric, dyeing and finishing, made-ups and garments.

This sector contributes nearly one-fourth of industrial value-added and  provides  employment to about 40 per cent of industrial labour force. Barring seasonal and cyclical fluctuations,  textiles products have maintained  an average share of about 60 per cent in national exports.

The ancillary textile industry includes cotton spinning, cotton cloth, cotton yarn, cotton fabric, fabric processing, home textiles, towels, hosiery, knitwear and readymade garments. These components  are being produced both in the large-scale  organized sector as well as  in the unorganized  cottage/small and medium units.

The performance of these various ancillary  textile industries is presented as under as per information gathered from various sources.

COTTON SPINNING SECTOR

The  spinning sector is the backbone in the ranking of textile production. Presently, as per record of Textile Commissioner’s Organization (TCO), it comprises  517 textile units including  40 composite units and 477 spinning units with 13414 million spindles and  198801 rotors installed and 11338  million spindles and 126583  rotors  in operation with capacity  utilization of 84.55 per cent and 63.67 per cent respectively.

 CLOTH SECTOR

Problems of the power loom sector  evolve mainly  around poor technology  and scarcity of quality yarn. Looms installed in cotton  textile mills are  9084 and looms working were 6384. The production cotton cloth has increased by 56.3 per cent whereas  in value term decreased by 8.28 per cent.

TEXTILE MADE-UP SECTOR

Being value added segment of textile industry made-u- sector comprises different sub-groups namely towels, tents & canvas, cotton bags, bed-wear, hosiery, knitwear & readymade garments  including fashion apparels.

HOSIERY INDUSTRY

The industry sustains  directly  livelihood of 210000 skilled workers and 490000 unskilled workers. Another 350000 people benefit  in allied cottage industries. Thus, the industry provides  directly and indirectly sustenance to well over  a million people. Knitwear exports  consist of  knitted and processed fabrics knitted garments; knitted bed sheets, socks etc.

READYNMADE GARMENT INDUSTRY

Readymade garment industry  has emerged  as one of the important small-scale  industries in Pakistan. Its products  have huge  demand both at home and abroad. The local requirements of readymade garments  are almost fully  met by this industry.

Garment industry is also a good source of providing  employment  opportunities  to a large number of people at a very low capital investment.

TOWEL INDUSTRY

There are about 10,000 towel looms  including shuttle and shuttle-less  in the country in both organized  and unorganized sector. This industry is dominantly  export based and its growth depends on export outlets. The existing towels manufacturing factories are upgraded to produce higher value towels.

CANVAS

The production capacity of this  sector is  more than 100 million square meters. This sector is also known as raw cotton  consuming sector. This value-added  sector has great potential for export. 60 per cent of its production  .

SYNTHETIC TEXTILE FABRICS

Artificial silk such as Synthetic  fibers Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic and Polyolefin dominate the market.

There are currently five major producers of synthetic fibers in Pakistan, with a total capacity of 636000 tons per annum.  Production cost of  artificial silk is less than silk, yet it resembles to it. Currently, artificial silk capacity in the country  is about 9000 looms.

WOOLEN INDUSTRY

The main products manufactured by the Woolen Industry  are carpets and rugs.

JUTE INDUSTRY

The main products manufactured by the Jute INDUSTRY are Jute Sacks and Hessian cloth which are used for packing and handling of wheat, rice and Food Grains.

Total number of 10 with 25060  spindles installed,Looms installed are  1134 and looms worked  885.  The installed and working capacity  of Jute Industry keeps fluctuating.