Pakistan’s textile millers want to raise Pakistan textile exports by $3 billion in the next 12 months. Their plan is to help Pakistani fashion brands sell abroad and to make more products at home. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) shared the plan at a first-of-its-kind meeting with retail brands. Here is the story in simple words.
What Is the Plan?
APTMA and the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) held their first Manufacturing Retail Working Session in Lahore. Leading retail brands and textile manufacturers sat together to talk about three things:
- Using more locally made products in place of imported retail goods
- Making products that can compete in world markets
- Helping Pakistani brands grow in other countries
This is part of a bigger goal. APTMA wants to add $3 billion to textile exports within 12 months. It also wants to add $10 billion over the next few years. Earlier statements from the association said this could happen in two to three years. The plan is led by APTMA’s Patron-in-Chief, Dr. Gohar Ejaz.
What APTMA’s Chairman Said
APTMA Chairman Asad Shafi said Pakistan’s organised fashion retail is mostly led by homegrown brands. He said this shows strong local talent in business, design, and understanding customers. In his view, the next step is to take these brands global.
Shafi also pointed out that more than 80% of Pakistan’s textile exports are already value-added goods, such as clothes and home textiles. He said Pakistan should move beyond being mainly a place that makes goods for others. It should own brands that people around the world know.
Which Brands Joined?
Many well-known Pakistani retail brands attended, including:
- Cross Stitch
- Kiji
- Maria.B
- Limelight
- Sapphire
- Nishat Linen
- Outfitters
- Zeitgeist
- Cougar
- Royal Tag
- Charcoal
- Wewear
Bringing Brands and Mills Together
Until now, most Pakistani mills have focused on making goods, while brands handled the sale. APTMA now wants the whole chain to work together on one platform. For this reason, it is widening its membership. It will include major textile and apparel brands and retailers, along with spinners, weavers, and value-added manufacturers.
The idea is that Pakistan should earn more from the value created after goods leave the factory. That means branding, marketing, distribution, and retail, not only manufacturing.
What the Industry Says It Needs
APTMA says the $3 billion target is possible only with the right conditions. Shafi has asked for:
- Competitive energy and financing costs
- Enough money (liquidity) for businesses
- Steady, predictable policies that support investment and expansion abroad
In a separate statement on October 1, Shafi named specific targets: industrial electricity at seven US cents per unit, gas at $7 per MMBtu, and financing at 7% a year. He said APTMA will work with the government on a practical roadmap to raise exports.
Where Exports Stand Today
The target comes at a time when overall textile exports have barely moved. A commentary by APTMA North Zone Chairman Kamran Arshad and trade economist Sarah Javaid, reported by Textalks, gives these figures:
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Textile exports, FY2025 | $17.88 billion |
| Textile exports, FY2026 | $17.93 billion |
| Wearing apparel | Up 22.03% |
| Cotton yarn | Up 2.73% |
| Cotton cloth | Down 0.09% |
So total exports grew by only about $50 million. Clothing did well, but other parts of the chain were flat or slightly lower. This shows why the industry wants more value-added products and stronger brands.
Why This Matters
Textiles are Pakistan’s biggest export. If local brands can win customers abroad, the country can earn more from each product it sells. It could also create more jobs in stitching, design, and retail. However, the plan will need lower costs and steady policies to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does APTMA want to add to textile exports?
$3 billion in the next 12 months, and $10 billion over the next few years.
What is the Manufacturing Retail Working Session?
It is a first-ever meeting held by APTMA and the Chainstore Association of Pakistan. It brought retail brands and textile makers together to plan local sourcing and global expansion.
Who is leading the plan?
The plan is led by APTMA Patron-in-Chief Dr. Gohar Ejaz, and APTMA Chairman Asad Shafi is presenting it.
How much of Pakistan’s textile exports are value-added?
More than 80%, according to APTMA. These include clothes and home textiles.
What does the industry need to reach the target?
Lower energy and financing costs, enough liquidity, and predictable policies that support investment and expansion abroad.
APTMA’s plan is clear: move from making goods to owning brands. Whether Pakistan can add $3 billion in 12 months will depend on costs, policies, and how quickly local brands can win customers abroad.
