According to a media report, a 10 percent increase has been noted in textile exports in the first half of the current fiscal year (2024-25), which increased from $8.29 billion to $9.90 billion.

The total volume of textile exports in 2023-24 was $17.47 billion and their value during 2022-23 was $16.7 billion. In the context of the aforementioned encouraging situation, the statement of experts associated with this sector requires government attention that in light of the US indicating an increase in tariffs on some major exporters in the coming days, Pakistan has a golden opportunity to increase its textile exports. For which it is necessary to remove the obstacles to the development of this sector.  It is impossible to deny the fact that the textile industry's raw material has been largely sourced from the local agricultural sector, however, due to the decline in production, the country's needs are not being met and cotton has to be imported at a heavy cost of foreign exchange. The textile sector is considered an important pillar of the Pakistani economy due to its share of 60 percent in exports, while the current and upcoming period in the global market is very sensitive for the garment trade.  On the other hand, Pakistan's textile sector is facing various difficulties due to the political and economic crisis. Relevant experts say that Pakistan's fashion industry has the full potential to gain a prominent position in the billion-dollar international fashion market. In view of the bright prospects, policymakers should provide all possible facilities to this sector. Considering the situation on the ground, the demand to redefine the priorities of this sector is not unreasonable.

It is worth mentioning here that there is already a race going on among textile exporting countries to increase exports to Central Asian states. Apart from China and India, countries like Bangladesh are also taking serious steps to increase trade with SCO countries. In these circumstances, Pakistan's textile industry needs to improve its product quality and focus on value addition along with increasing productivity to make its place in the Central Asian market. We need policies to facilitate the access of Pakistani exporters to Central Asia, through technology transfer, Pakistan's industry can also better prepare itself to meet future demands.

 By preparing ourselves to face these challenges, we can build our economy on a strong footing by increasing textile exports to SCO member countries as well as building long-term trade relations. The export to Central Asian states need to be given attention as it can prove a huge market for our products. Pakistan, which has been a major exporter of cotton and cloth for more than six decades, is forced to import raw materials by paying heavy foreign exchange to meet its industrial needs. Currently, the total volume of the global fashion industry is more than three thousand billion dollars, which is from three billion 38 billion.  It is a source of employment for many people, however, Pakistan's share in this sector is less than one percent and its fashion industry is limited to the three major cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, which could not go beyond summer wear.  People associated with the textile industry and exporters are drawing the government's attention day by day to the problems faced by this sector.  Undoubtedly, it is the backbone of the country's industries, which employs millions of people, and puts Pakistan ahead in the global market. The World Organization of Textile and Fashion Industry says that Pakistan can earn huge foreign exchange by focusing on value-added textile products including apparel, fashion, sports and others instead of low-cost textiles.  According to the organization's president, Bangladesh, a major exporter of textiles, is losing its exports due to political uncertainty and challenges and Pakistan is fully capable of filling the gap created by this, allowing its textile and garment exporters to expand to emerging and advanced markets including Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.  The countries have to increase their exports considerably.

There is no room for doubt that during the last decade, the countries of the region, India and Bangladesh, have emerged rapidly in the textile sector, which have made a big place in the global market thanks to their value-added products.  Pakistan should come forward in the global market and the government should provide all the resources that this sector needs. Meanwhile, financial experts say thta in order to stabilize the country economically by putting aside other issues, attention should be paid to strengthening the economic relations with the countries included in the Shinghai Coopration Organisation in terms of population and resources. In this way, by reducing the dependence of Pakistani exporters on the traditional export markets of America and Europe and providing them access to the largest and nearest markets of SCO countries, a significant increase in exports can be made possible. The importance of access to alternative export markets is increasing in view of the difficulties faced by the textile sector, which accounts for more than 60% of Pakistan's exports, in obtaining export orders from the US and Europe due to the increase in production costs.

It is worth mentioning here that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes important international countries like China and Russia as well as many Central Asian states which can become a major market for Pakistan's textile exports. In addition, the total population of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is more than three billion, where the demand for quality textile products is constantly increasing. In such a situation, if the government support is available to the exporters of Pakistan, under a regular strategy, such textile products can be introduced keeping in view the needs of the consumers of these countries, which will provide the consumers of these countries with a permanent supply of Pakistani textile products in the future. In this regard, it is important to be aware of market dynamics, consumer preferences and trade regulations in Central Asian countries and Russia, for which the government needs to take special measures. In this regard, market research, conducting trade exhibitions and promotional activities as well as bilateral trade agreements with SCO countries can be useful.

In this regard, there is a need to improve the means of transport, customs procedures and clearing services at ports in Pakistan, as the absence of a clear regulatory system related to the shipping industry often causes delays and costs to exporters and importers. Similarly, elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers imposed by some SCO countries is also necessary. To overcome these problems and develop economic ties with the SCO countries, the government needs to focus urgently on leveraging the success of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Thus, by investing in improving infrastructure, promoting trade relations and increasing the competitiveness of the textile sector, Pakistan can realize its dream of long-term economic growth by increasing its exports.