ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s textile sector, the largest contributor to the country’s exports, is facing a severe crisis due to the rising cost of electricity.
Data obtained by Dunya News shows that 33% of the country’s textile mills have been forced to shut down. Out of 568 textile mills, 187 have ceased operations, underscoring the critical state of the industry.
Punjab, the largest province and a major textile production hub, has been hit hardest by the crisis.
Among the 187 closed mills, 147 are located in Punjab, while 54 are in Sindh and Balochistan, and 6 are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The shutdowns include man-made fiber, polyester, and waste mills. Key districts in Punjab have been severely impacted: 47 mills have closed in Kasur, 33 in Multan, 31 in Faisalabad, 17 in Sahiwal, and 11 in Sheikhupura.
Sources attribute the crisis to soaring electricity prices and Pakistan’s broader economic challenges, which have made it increasingly difficult for textile mills to remain operational.
As the textile sector is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s exports, urgent government intervention is needed to address these pressing issues and prevent further closures.
