Why Pakistan?

[Steve Ashton]

Pakistan is actually one of the major manufacturing centers of the world.

Pakistan is the 8th largest exporter of textiles in the world

It is the fourth largest producer of Cotton and the third largest center for spinning, dying and weaving in the world. 76% of all Denim in the world is woven in Pakistan. Mind boggling if you think about all the blue jeans out there. They are also one of the leading centers for synthetic fibers and fabrics. Virtually all the Poly/Cotton fabric is done in Pakistan.
The Pakistani textile industry employees 30% of its total population.

If you have ever had surgery or been to a dentist it is a pretty good bet that the implements used were manufactured in Pakistan.

If you have ever played volleyball, badminton, tennis, or just about any sport for that matter it is a good bet that the equipment you used was made in Pakistan.

Sailkot Pakistan has been a hub of manufacturing for a very long time. Since the middle ages. Since WWII they have modernized just a bit.
During the period of the British they began to tailor kilts and the uniforms for the Highland Regiments stationed in the region.

Since, an entire and uniquely Pakistani, kilt and accessory industry has developed. Quite removed from the Scottish traditions, the Pakistani's have embraced the kilt as few other places. There are over 50 pipe bands in Sailkot alone. They hold an annual pipe band parade and competition. The outfits must be seen to be believed.

Anyone in the kilt business gets 20 or 30 emails a week from new and existing companies in Sailkot offering kilts and accessories. For three years I kept a file of these companies but dropped it simply because there were too many.

Pakistani kilts and bagpipes are recognizable all over the world. They share some common features. At first glance is is hard to tell some of them apart. In some cases it is one company that re-sells to others and in some cases you are seeing clones. It is a very common and accepted practice to copy what sells.

The nominal per capita income was only $1295.00 usd in 2013 making it very attractive to western markets looking for a capable but inexpensive labor force.