GUJRAT: The manufacturers of cutlery and stainless utensils of Wazirabad demand an art and craft village for the local artisans.

At least 800 workshops for the cutlery workers are currently working in small and rented shops as well as houses in the residential localities of the city. There are reports that a plan has been proposed for establishment of the art and craft village.

Khalid Mughal, the chairman of the Pakistan Cutlery and Stainless Utensils Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSUMEA), told Dawn that though the exact site had not been selected yet but the association had proposed the establishment of such a village along Dhaunkal Bypass near Wazirabad city.

The proposal, he claimed, had initially been discussed with the divisional administration of Gujranwala after which it was dispatched to the Planning and Development Department where at least two meetings were held between the representatives of the association and the authorities concerned.

The proposed art and craft village would have workshops on at least 10 marlas piece of land each that could promote Wazirabad-based cutlery industry as per the requirements of global markets, Mr Mughal said and added that there had been a great potential of enhancing exports of cutlery through capacity-building of the local artisans and industry.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the authorities concerned in the federal capital and Punjab to promote the Wazirabad-based cottage industry to the level of small and medium enterprises for which practical steps were needed.

The project of art and craft village initially requires at least Rs1bn and the Punjab government has been requested to approve the funds.

Meanwhile, the Gujranwala commissioner has issued directions to the deputy commissioner to select the land for establishment of the buildings of the workers welfare school and government commerce college in Wazirabad as these educational institutions operate in rented buildings.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2022