Lahore: Chairperson of the Carpet Training Institute, Ijaz-ur-Rehman, has called on Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif to incorporate handmade carpet weaving training into the She Threads Programme. The initiative aims to furnish rural women with marketable skills and bolster their economic independence.

According to Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Ijaz-ur-Rehman highlighted the significant role of the handmade carpet industry in the rural economy and women's employment. He pointed out that numerous women are already contributing to their household incomes by weaving carpets from their homes. He suggested that traditional craftsmanship, particularly handmade carpet weaving, should be integrated into the programme alongside other textile-related skills.

He proposed that the government supply rural women with free looms, raw materials, and training in modern designs, enabling them to earn a livelihood from home. The Carpet Training Institute, in collaboration with relevant institutions, could establish specialized training centers and introduce practical courses to impart professional carpet-weaving skills.

Ijaz-ur-Rehman emphasized the importance of ensuring that women completing the training receive fair prices for their products and have effective access to markets. Such measures, he noted, would enhance household incomes, promote Pakistan's traditional craftsmanship, strengthen the cottage industry, and boost exports of handmade carpets.

He observed that Pakistan's handmade carpets hold a unique identity in international markets, making it crucial to pass this skill on to the younger generation and rural women. He also suggested the establishment of dedicated procurement centers and an online marketing system to connect women artisans with buyers both domestically and internationally.

Linking the She Threads Programme with traditional crafts, he concluded, could create sustainable employment opportunities for rural women, promote their financial independence, and contribute to economic stability. It would also invigorate Pakistan's handmade carpet industry and fortify its standing in global markets.