Lahore: The Carpet Training Institute (CTI) has unveiled a new proposal to the Punjab government, aiming to economically empower rural women and rejuvenate the struggling handmade carpet export sector. This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision of integrating women into the economic mainstream.

According to Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the proposal was presented during a significant meeting led by CTI Chairperson Ijaz-ur-Rehman. The meeting included rural women and industry stakeholders, where discussions centered on the plan's economic and social impacts. The initiative seeks to provide rural women with free looms and practical training in carpet weaving, enabling them to establish small-scale, home-based enterprises. This plan also includes marketing support to ensure fair pricing and open market sales.

Ijaz-ur-Rehman highlighted the decline in Pakistan's handmade carpet industry, attributing it to global market challenges, rising costs, and a skilled labor shortage. He emphasized that reviving this sector could boost employment, increase rural income, and enhance foreign exchange earnings. The proposal calls for collaboration with various provincial institutions to implement the plan, which could significantly impact poverty reduction and economic growth in rural Punjab.