Punjab Holidays Shock: Textile Exports Face Multi-Million Dollar Loss

FAISALABAD: The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), North Zone, has raised serious concerns over the sudden announcement of four consecutive holidays in Punjab. Punjab Holidays Impact Textile Exports.

Ahmad Afzal Awan, Senior Vice Chairman of the PHMA, North Zone, said that the Punjab government’s announcement has severely undermined its stated agenda of economic revival.
He said that this decision has shaken the confidence of the business community, including foreign investors, traders and exporters.

Industrial Supply Chain Disruptions

“Four days of holidays will seriously disrupt the industrial supply chain,” he claimed.
Currently, he said, the country urgently requires uninterrupted industrial activity and policy consistency to stabilize the economy. However, such abrupt decisions have created uncertainty across markets.

Textile Export Sector Faces Heavy Financial Losses Due to Shutdown

He warned that these consecutive holidays would adversely affect industrial operations, logistics and export shipments, with repercussions likely to persist for several weeks.

“The losses resulting from this sudden halt in business activities run into millions of dollars, with the export-oriented textile sector being the worst affected,” he added.

Business Community and Foreign Investors Lose Confidence in Policy Consistency

The PHMA chairman noted that delayed export shipments have not only resulted in financial losses but have also placed Pakistani exporters in an embarrassing position in international markets. He added that this situation could damage the country’s credibility as a reliable supplier.

Daily Wage Earners Hit Hard as Industrial Activity Comes to a Halt

He further emphasized that daily wage earners are among the most vulnerable victims of such decisions, as forced shutdowns deprive them of their livelihoods and basic means of sustenance.

Expressing concern, he said that while the government frequently emphasises economic revival and growth, the imposition of frequent and unnecessary holidays stands in clear contradiction to this narrative and undermines the commitment to economic stability.

He also pointed out that textile exports are already witnessing negative growth due to the global economic slowdown, while Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure. Under such circumstances, uninterrupted industrial activity is essential for sustaining exports and supporting economic recovery.

Mr. Awan urged the government to announce a clear reduction in unnecessary holidays and to ensure a consistent and predictable working environment.

“A firm and unambiguous message must be conveyed to employers and workers alike to remain fully engaged in productive activity for achieving economic prosperity and export-led growth,” he said.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Award-winning investigative journalist with 20+ years of experience across Pakistan's leading news organisations, including 15+ years as Senior Staff Correspondent at Dawn. Driven by a lifelong passion for investigative journalism and human rights, with a proven record of hard-hitting stories that forced official action — from hospital negligence and illegal land grabs to harassment probes and social injustice. He is the recipient of the K.C. Kulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism.