The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) has called on the federal government to officially recognise the furniture sector as an industry.
According to the council’s leadership, formal industry status would bring several benefits, including easier access to bank financing, subsidised energy, modern machinery imports, and export incentives. This, the PFC says, could help the sector grow faster and compete more effectively both locally and abroad.
At a recent board meeting in Lahore, PFC Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq said Pakistan’s furniture makers have strong skills, craftsmanship, and raw materials, but they are held back by the lack of structured support that comes with formal industry recognition.
He told reporters that granting industry status would help manufacturers raise productivity, improve quality standards, and attract investment.
The furniture sector in Pakistan employs thousands of workers, especially in cities such as Chiniot, Gujrat, Lahore, and Karachi, which are known for woodwork and handcrafted designs. Local producers say that without industry status, they face higher production costs and limited access to credit compared with other recognised export sectors. Analysts also note that the industry is under-represented in government export plans and industrial policy discussions.
PFC officials argue that formal industry status could also help address other challenges, such as the shortage of skilled labour and the need for modern technology and design training.
They believe policy support could extend Pakistan’s furniture exports, which remain modest compared with regional competitors despite a growing global demand for high-quality wood and crafted products.
Industry representatives have asked policymakers to include furniture in upcoming economic reforms, saying a stronger sector could generate jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings, and support local suppliers. They urge incentives similar to those offered to other export-oriented industries to ensure long-term growth.
The council says that with the right support, Pakistan’s furniture industry could play a larger role in the economy and help diversify the country’s export base.