REFERENCE news report ‘The weaver’s tale’(Feb 5). The report says families in Hala had been in weaving business when Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai was born. At its peak, a single family had more than 1,600 handlooms and had a workforce of about 4,000 artisans. People were crazy for Susi, Mothro, Garbi and Khaddar.

As is evident from Shah Latif’s poetry, in olden days handloom products worth thousands of rupees were regularly shipped from Sindh to different countries in the world. Now, as the report suggests, the cloth-weaving industry is dying out and with it the weavers’ only source of livelihood.

Handloom weavers, with inadequate working capital and lack of market facilities, etc, are unable to meet the requirements of the ever-changing market demands. Coupled with this are cost-affecting factors like poor infrastructure facilities, viz dye houses, common facility centre and quality control labs.

The Khadi’s revival is important as it has a historic and commercial value. To revive the lost glory of the fine cotton fabric, the following measures may be taken immediately: a survey may be conducted to enumerate handlooms and to identify skilled weavers. Seminars and workshops may be organised to teach the art of weaving to the youth.

Handloom clusters with dye-houses, common facility centre, quality control labs, etc., may be set up in major handloom centres like Hala, Mithi, Cachro and Sobhodero.

Financial assistance may be provided to researchers and weavers for start-up. Weavers’ participation in important trade fairs, where handmade products are displayed, may be ensured.

Khaddar, Susi, Garbi, and Mothro may be given as gifts to foreign dignitaries visiting Pakistan.

M. Essa Jalbani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016