Faisalabad’s Power Loom Industry In Crisis Amid Soaring Electricity Bills
Faisalabad, Pakistan’s textile hub, is facing a severe crisis as the city’s power loom industry struggles under the weight of exorbitant electricity bills. Rising raw material costs have further compounded the challenges, leaving loom owners unable to sustain their operations and rendering thousands of workers jobless.
The once-bustling area of Ghulam Muhammad Abad, often referred to as “the Manchester of Faisalabad,” now stands eerily quiet, with factories shuttered and looms standing idle. Many small and large workshops have closed, leaving a trail of unemployment and despair among labourers.
Most factories in the area remain locked, covered in dust, symbolizing the growing economic hardship. Local factory owners and workers expressed their concerns during ARY News’ programme “Sar-e-Aam.”
Baba Latif, Chairman of the Labour National Movement, representing power loom workers, revealed that around 500,000 workers depend on the power loom industry. However, with mounting financial losses, many factory owners have been forced to close their businesses.
He added that of the 2,100 small units in the area, 1,200 have already shut down, pushing families into extreme poverty and hunger.
Latif pointed to skyrocketing electricity bills as the primary issue. A factory that once paid Rs. 300,000 in monthly electricity now faces charges of Rs. 1.2 million. “How can small business owners afford such costs?” he questioned.
A factory worker shared his distress, explaining that after 12 years of working in a loom factory, he was abruptly laid off due to a lack of work. Another individual expressed the hopelessness many face, stating that some are driven to contemplate suicide as they struggle to feed their families.
This dire situation highlights the broader economic challenges confronting Faisalabad’s power loom sector, with no immediate relief in sight for factory owners or labourers.
