Faisalabad Becomes The Textile Capital of Pakistan

Faisalabad is recognized as the center of the textile industry in Pakistan, contributing to half of Pakistans total textile shipments. Faisalabad is the largest industrial and metropolitan city in Pakistan.

A Brief History of the Textile Industry in Faisalabad

The manufacturing of cotton has always been the mainstay of the textile industry in Pakistan. Faisalabad is the largest industrial and metropolitan city in Pakistan. The history of the textile industry in Faisalabad dates back to the early 19th century. The following is an excerpt from a book, 'The story of the "East Pakistan's Cottage industries": “In the 1960s, when Bangladesh seceded from Pakistan, industries in Faisalabad flourished.” Manufacturing of Cotton – Its Original Form In modern days, the cotton industry is known for the manufacture of Synthetic Fibres like Polyester, and Cashmere wool. However, cotton was already the earliest form of textile manufacture in Pakistan. The development of the textile industry of Faisalabad has its roots in the traditional industries of that era.

The Future of Textile in Faisalabad

The textiles sector of Pakistan is still in a fragile situation and is in dire need of changes. But, with future possibilities in mind, textile manufacturers in Faisalabad seem to have already shifted focus to exploring new growth avenues. A study conducted by the University of Engineering & Technology, Faisalabad revealed that local textile industries are gradually moving from conventional solutions towards innovative technologies. While the researchers said that the textiles industry is still reeling under the financial burden of its low-value addition, it is finding alternate sources of income through e-commerce, digitalization of business processes, automation, and outsourcing.

The Importance of the Textile Industry

Faisalabad produces cotton, the highest volume of the crop in the world, half of which is exported. It is located on the lower course of the Indus River and was originally named after its nearest hill, the Monti, which is a part of the Ring Mountains of the Karakoram range. The city is located in an important region where the rivers Indus and Chenab meet, making it a link between Punjab and Kashmir. The Indus and Chenab join near Faisalabad in southern Punjab. This is known as the Tarbela-Kohala link. The Indus River flows from the north to meet the Ganges and Himalayan rivers in India. Pakistan's total exports are 64% cotton and 36% garments. The region is one of Pakistan's major textile hubs and has been labeled the “Textile City of Pakistan”.

How Faisalabad Became The Textile Capital of Pakistan

Due to the remarkable rise in the cotton and textile industry, Faisalabad has emerged as the heart of Pakistan’s textile industry. The basic industrial units of Pakistan have their origin in Faisalabad, at Alipur Industrial Estate. Islamabad also produced a significant amount of cotton and has become the capital of Pakistan, but with the continuous presence of Faisalabad, the importance of Faisalabad has now become crystal clear. “With the arrival of 70 years ago, Pakistan is getting become the emerging market due to the policies of the government of Pakistan.” PIA Service Faisalabad-Karachi is Only one of the many breakthrough services of Pakistan which will further boost the economic and trade ties between Pakistan and China.

Conclusion

Faisalabad was among the top destinations in Pakistan for foreign direct investment. The city of Faisalabad is a popular destination for foreign investment in Pakistan due to its large concentration of textile, sugar, and engineering industries. The recent announcements by the Pakistan Government regarding mega foreign investment projects are expected to have a significant effect on the pace of industrial development and the general business activity of the city. The upcoming CPEC and the high potential of the cotton trade, and the international brand Faisalabad are some of the reasons why Pakistan is experiencing such a massive industrial growth

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