Life in Multan - Cotton

Cotton quality checking

While in Multan we visited the Roomi spinning and weaving factory.  The factory has received funding from Australia in the past under the ‘Better Cotton Initiative’.  We were able to see the process from receiving cotton bales through to packaging of towels and sheets.  It was fascinating to see the work that needs to be done by hand and what can be done by machine.

 Pakistan used to be the fourth largest grower of cotton and the largest exporter of cotton yarn.  However, cotton production in Pakistan is decreasing, in the last year production has dropped by 24%.  The main reason for the decline is attributed to poor cotton seeds that are not resistant to pests and diseases.  Cotton is of vital importance as textile manufacturing is the largest manufacturing industry in Pakistan.  

Cotton bales

Hand checking

Yarn quality control

Tags for towels

Checking for loose threads