NAROWAL, May 1: Chik-making, once a roaring business in and around Narowal, suffers following excessive taxes and apathy of the authorities concerned.

These chiks are used as decorative items, curtains, sheds, shelters and to make roofs of houses in the rural areas.

Reeds used in chiks are available along the Indo-Pakistan border in Shakargarh, Narowal, Narang Mandi and Kala Khatai on a large scale.

In case of shortage, manufacturers import them from Gujrat and Sheikhupura districts.

Chik-making in Narowal has a 40-year old history. Rehmanpura Colony, Ghaziwal Colony and nearby villages Jassar, Aliabad and Qayampur are known for the business.

These chiks are supplied to cities like Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan and Mirpur. Afghanistan, too, has their market.

Chik-making is a laborious job, but the makers are paid very low wages. On an average, only Rs25 are paid for 100 sqfts. It takes a maker two and a half hours to complete 100 sqfts of a chik.

Women and children are hired to peel reeds at very low wages. They are paid Rs4 only for peeling and cleaning 100 reeds.

Khalid Mahmood, a local manufacturer, told Dawn that taxes imposed by the government had severely damaged the business. He said it was a seasonal business. In rainy months, chik-making could not be done due to non-availability of dry reeds. Labourers suffer in these months because of no or little work, he said, adding the government should take measures to patronize the business.

He said tax relief and other necessary facilities would help create more employment opportunities in the area.