Asad Mehmood
Carpet is one of finest and most exquisite form of expression and has more than 2500 years old history.
The carpet industry plays a vital role in the economy of Pakistan. It is not only a major earner of foreign exchange for the economy as a whole but it also contributes to the relief of poverty in rural areas. It is basically a cottage industry spread all over Pakistan, especially in remote rural areas. It is a major source of income for families who have few other sources of livelihood, apart from marginal agriculture, families can easily enter carpet-making as an occupation as it requires few infrastructural facilities. Unlike other industries it does not require electricity, water, etc. A wooden loom, yarn and knotting skill are needed to make carpets. Another advantage for the rural families is that they can do the work inside their homes. Because the work takes place inside homes, female members of the family can also participate in this economic activity. The carpet industry is totally indigenous as even the machines used are manufactured locally.
Historians believe that carpet making was introduced to the region now constituting Pakistan, as far back as the 11th century with the coming of the first Muslim conquerors the Ghaznavids and the Ghauris. During the Mughal period the carpets made in the Indo-Pak Sub-Continent became so famous that there was mounting demand for them abroad. These carpets have distinctive designs and boasted a rich knotting density. The tradition has remained strong over the last 400 years, although it has had ups and down during this period. After the partition of the Sub-Continent in 1947 to establish the new Muslim State of Pakistan, most of the Muslims migrated to Pakistan, settled down either in Lahore or in Karachi. It is these people who formed the backbone of the carpet industry in Pakistan. The type of carpet used is not mass-market domestic floor covering but is more appropriately a part of the exotic ‘rug trade’.
The number of carpet weavers in Pakistan is estimated to be around 200000-250000. Carpet making takes place in all the four provinces of Pakistan.
The carpet industry provides jobs to 1.5 million people in the country. It earns approximately $250-300 million in foreign exchange annually. More than 99% of carpets made in the country are exported.
Pakistan hand-made carpets dominate the USA market while the South East Asia market is dominated by both China and Pakistan. The importance of the carpet sector is well understood by the government, NGO and international actors, particularly since it is an important source of income for the rural population, particularly for women, and has a large potential for employment creation and poverty alleviation. The government’s policy and international support are increasingly directed to the benefit of the industry.
