BAHAWALPUR: The divisional administration has moved a proposal to the provincial industries department to develop Abbas Nagar village as a ‘craft village’.

According to a document shared with Dawn, Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen has recommended to the secretary for industries to prepare its feasibility report for transforming Abbas Nagar into a craft village by the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC).

After the approval of the feasibility report, it would be forwarded to the Department of Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) to declare the village as a model village with its inclusion in the next ADP for funds.

It may be mentioned that Abbas Nagar is located about 24km east of the city on the Bahawalpur-Hasilpur road near the world-renowned Lal Sohanra National Park. It comprises two union councils and has 860 houses with an approximately population of 10,000.

Ms Jabeen said Abbas Nagar was renowned for its vibrant Chunri -- a traditional tie and dye textile art of making shawl or dupatta deeply embedded in the village’s cultural identity.

She told Dawn that about 80pc community of the village was engaged in the crafts, including basketry, Khussa-making, pottery and embroidery while neighboring settlements specialised in unique traditions like Chaabi weaving in Phullan Di Wasti, Mukesh embroidery in Majnun Di Wasti, and dulai (quilt-making) in Jan Muhammad Di Wasti.

She added that among the village’s 800 artisan families, the legacy of Abdulla Mai, a master Chunri-maker, stood out. The craft village will help to fetch handsome income for the local craftswomen, who would also be able to earn their livelihood for their families, said the commissioner.

According to the officials, Abbas Nagar is home to a centuries-old tradition of making Chunri (shawl), but now this art is at risk of dying due to declining interest, lack of institutional recognition and the disappearance of traditional techniques.

Ms Jabeen stressed that this Sanjhok artisan hub, especially for women, would offer a safe workspace, tools and market access, shifting the craft production from homes to a collaborative environment and fostering skill development and economic growth. In addition, she argued, the project would safeguard rich artisanal heritage, uplift the local economy and ensure that the legacy of craftsmanship continued to thrive for future generations.

She said Abbas Nagar’s proximity to Lal Sohanra National Park presented a unique opportunity to integrate eco-tourism with cultural tourism and this initiative would attract both local and international visitors creating employment opportunities and expanding market access.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2025