Cottage Industries in Pakistan

The rural areas in Pakistan are famous for the Cottage and household industries. Majority of the
villages in Pakistan are self-supporting or self-sustaining in fulfilling the fundamental needs and
necessities of life. The people in rural areas rely on the household industries for their livelihood.
Businesses that usually thrive include pottery, cotton weaving, carpentry, metalsmithing. The
consumers in Pakistan have an everlasting demand of handmade traditional clothing, mats,
bangles, mud made handicrafts e.t.c. The President of ICCI claimed that Cottage industry has
provided employment to almost 80% of industrial workers. The reason for setting-up a cottage or
small scale industry includes closeness to market, closeness to raw materials, environmental and
climatic factors, and availability of transport. Presently following types of small-scale industries
are present in Pakistans rural areas:
Surgical manufacturers. This type of business requires stainless steel which can only acquired
through imports. However, its end product is exported. The Lahore and Sialkot cater to surgical
manufacturers.
Metalworking. In Peshawar area of Pakistan metalworking is done, it is famous for copper and
brass. The items produced include tins, trays, cans, plants.
Ceramics. Ceramic painting and manufacturing is a famous cottage industry of Pakistan. A well
known example of ceramic painting is Pakistani piggy banks called Gallas. Children use
Gallas to save their money. Gujrat, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi are areas where ceramic
manufacturing is aesthetically done. The items usually produced are crockery items like pots,
mugs, cups and more.
Jewelers. The level of perfection with which the jewellery is manufactured in the cottage
industry is to be praised, albeit, they are hand made but the perfection with which it is made
makes it commendable.
Textiles. The intelligence of report of ECONOMIST in August 2003 claims, Despite
Government efforts to diversify exports and widen the industrial base, the industrial sector
remains dominated by the Textile sector. Textile Sector still represents 46% of total
manufacturing and provides 68% of Pakistans Export receipts. The items produced through
textile industry of Pakistan include Chiffon, Georgette, Lawn, Linen, Silk, and Taffeta.
Carpets & Rugs. The Quetta is known for selling the best rugs in the country. The customers
can get Moroccan rugs, Persian rugs, Turkish rugs, Afghani rugs, and Russian rugs. These
carpets and rugs have hand-knotted materials which have a demand globally.
Focusing on the growth of Cottage Industries in Pakistan can eradicate joblessness to a greater
extent in the underdeveloped regions of Pakistan. Due to unemployment, people from rural areas
move to cities causing overpopulation there. Creating employment opportunities for the jobless
people would reduce many social evils. The Cottage industry has been responsible for making
Pakistans balance of payment favorable, because the output manufactured through household
industries are exported abroad bringing foreign exchange in the country.