Pakistan becomes third country to join Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative

Pakistan has become the third country after Bangladesh and Türkiye to establish a national chapter of the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative, a global platform aimed at promoting sustainable manufacturing in the apparel and textile sector.

The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has formally committed to setting up the Pakistan National Chapter of the initiative, jointly launched by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).

Under the collaboration, PRGMEA will develop a Pakistan Transformation Plan focusing on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, water stewardship, climate finance, resource efficiency and sustainable manufacturing.

The initiative is expected to provide technical support to manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and help exporters meet environmental and compliance requirements of international buyers.

The announcement was made during London Climate Action Week 2026, where manufacturers, global brands, investors and development partners discussed climate finance and sustainable transformation of the apparel sector.

Dr Muhammad Ayyaz Uddin, convener of PRGMEA’s Decarbonisation Committee, said Pakistan’s inclusion in the initiative would accelerate sustainability efforts and improve industry collaboration.

PRGMEA representatives said the partnership would strengthen Pakistani manufacturers’ competitiveness through innovation and practical decarbonisation solutions.

The body has maintained ties with the IAF and hosted the federation’s World Fashion Convention in Lahore in 2019.

However, exporters said international recognition must be supported by domestic policy reforms.

The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) urged the Punjab government to revise its industrial estate policy, saying existing rules are slowing relocation and limiting export competitiveness.

PHMA representatives said the requirement for manufacturers to install entirely new machinery before moving to industrial estates is impractical, especially when many factories already have underutilised production capacity.

They called for a policy allowing existing factories to relocate with installed machinery instead of making fresh investments.

They welcomed the Punjab government’s proposed Rs13.3 billion plug-and-play garment factory parks, but said the project would only succeed if existing manufacturers are allowed to shift without replacing functional machinery.

Other industry representatives also called for stronger compliance support, labour facilities and enforcement against speculative use of industrial plots. They warned that without reforms in relocation rules, compliance infrastructure, labour availability and land-use enforcement, industrial estates may continue to underperform despite public investment.