FAISALABAD: With Pakistan’s textile sector under increasing strain from soaring energy costs, high financing rates, escalating production expenses, and intense regional competition, business leaders have urged the government to introduce immediate policy measures to protect the country’s largest export-oriented industry.
Faisalabad, Pakistan’s industrial and textile hub, contributes an estimated USD 5.5 billion in textile exports annually, nearly 45 percent of the country’s total textile exports—making its economic stability crucial to national export growth and employment. Against this backdrop, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has announced its new office bearers for the Faisalabad Chapter for a two-year term, effective immediately, according to a notification issued by Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad.
The newly elected team comprises Director FIEDMC Mian Kashif Zia as President, Senior Vice Chairman of PHMA (North Zone) Ahmed Afzal Awan as Senior Vice President of the forum, Mian Tanvir Ahmed and Muhammad Abdullah Qadri as Vice President’s, and senior trade leader of the city Mian Tanveer Riaz as General Secretary of the forum.
Addressing members of the business community, PBF Faisalabad President Mian Kashif Zia thanked the forum’s leadership for its confidence in the new team and pledged to work closely with industrialists, exporters, policymakers, and government institutions to strengthen Pakistan’s industrial and export sectors.
Describing Faisalabad as the country’s industrial backbone, Kashif Zia said the city’s manufacturing base plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economy. However, he noted that rising electricity and gas tariffs, inconsistent energy supplies, high borrowing costs, liquidity constraints, and increasing production expenses have weakened the competitiveness of exporters, while many small and medium-sized enterprises are struggling to sustain operations.
“The government must urgently introduce industry-friendly policies that reduce the cost of doing business and restore investor confidence,” Zia said.
“Affordable energy, easier access to finance, stable taxation policies, timely payment of sales tax refunds, and effective export facilitation are essential to revive industrial growth and strengthen Pakistan’s position in international markets.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Afzal Awan said Faisalabad’s industrial landscape extends far beyond textiles, encompassing garments, knitwear, hosiery, spinning, weaving, textile processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, food processing, plastics, packaging, and agricultural machinery manufacturing.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026