After independence (1947) of Pakistan, first cotton
textile mill named Valika Cotton Textile Mill was established at Karachi in
1948. After establishment of first mill, it emerged as the largest cotton
textile center of Pakistan this was, because all economic, social,
infrastructural, export, and import factors, except raw material were localized
in Karachi.
Although, to take advantage of the nearness of raw
cotton and market and in pursuance of government policy, new textile centers
have been developed in Pakistan. However, Karachi continues to be the largest center.
After Karachi, there was shift to up country centers
within the cotton belt. Faisalabad is now second largest cotton textile
manufacturing center in Pakistan. It has advantage of raw cotton availability labor
force and local market facilities and in course of time and excellent
infrastructure facilities has been built up.
Hyderabad is third largest cotton textile
manufacturing center in Pakistan. It is within the cotton belt and enjoys
easily accessible local market and it is not very for from the port and
economic capital (Karachi) of Pakistan.
Apart from these big cotton textile manufacturing
cities, cotton mills have been established in almost all cities of Pakistan,
especially cotton growing areas to tape the raw material and to serve the local
market and to develop infrastructure in backward areas to attract investment
for other industries.
Besides, textile mills, power looms (non-mill
weaving) have made remarkable progress and our more than 80% cloth production
conies from power looms. Power looms are thus playing a vital role in the
cotton textile industry of Pakistan. They deserve full encouragement and are
located almost in every city of Pakistan.
Towels, Hosiery and Canvas are important products
of power looms. The power looms are manufacturing a large variety of these
products. This industry is also located at Karachi, Multan, Hyderabad,
Faisalabad, Lahore, Jhang, and many other cities.
As a government policy decentralization of industry
in the country cotton textile mills have been established in backward areas
outside the cotton belt to provide employment to people of these area now
cotton textile mills are located in for provinces in the following
cities.