Pakistan's fashion and textile industry stands at the epicenter of its economy, representing around 8.5% of the nation's national GDP and providing work to almost 45% of the total workforce. As the eighth largest textile exporter in Asia, Pakistan's apparel and textile industry is the prime growth impeller, with textile exports during the 2024 fiscal year standing at $16.55 billion. The amount registers an increase of a mere 0.93% from the preceding fiscal year. Of them, readymade garments, bedwear and knitwear saw sudden spurts, with the readymade garment exports alone increasing 20% year-on-year during December 2024. Textiles represent nearly 54.5% of the nation's total exports, illustrating the economy's contribution made by the sector.

With the world's attention now shifting to environmental sustainability, Pakistan's fashion industry stands at a turning point. The traditional fast fashion model — characterised by quick turnaround production cycles, cheap production and quick-speed style changeover — is increasingly under fire for driving environmental degradation and worker exploitation. The industry is responsible for approximately 10% of carbon emissions worldwide and almost 20% of total wastewater generated worldwide. Bulk production of clothing is susceptible to over-use of natural resources, high energy usage and chemical pollution, all of which drive the effects of climate change and........

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