Pakistan’s jute industry is under tremendous pressure due to the challenges, like lower demand than capacity and stiff competition from woven polypropylene and other health hazardous packaging material, which are used in large quantity in the country, said Ms Sharmeen, CEO of the United Jute Mills Group.

According to her, Pakistan’s jute industry that reliant on imported jute from Bangladesh is at the brink of collapse due to soaring prices of raw material.

She also urged the government to convince Bangladesh for lowering down raw material prices so that local industry may revive. Since jute is used in many products and as a main storage material for eatable items like rice, wheat, therefore, jute industry needs to be given protection.

Hence, the government needs to take immediate steps for the jute industry as soaring prices of raw material has not only crippled this industry but also rendered workforce associated with this industry jobless.

Expressing concern over state of affairs of the country’s jute industry, Ms Sharmeen Khan has urged the government to play the role of facilitator for the sick jute industry and announce pragmatic steps for the revival of this industry, which is providing livelihood to a large number of skilled workforce.