Textile Industry
The textile industry is one of the largest industries in Pakistan. The textile sector contributes about 4% of GDP and employs around 5 million people. The textile industry consists of two major segments:
(i) yarn manufacturing; and
(ii) cloth manufacturing. Yarn manufacturing includes spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc., while cloth manufacturing includes printing, dyeing, finishing, sewing, tailoring, etc. The textile industry is divided into three categories:
(i) home-based small-scale units;
(ii) commercial establishments; and
(iii) industrial units.
Food Processing
Pakistan's food processing industry is estimated at $1 billion. The food processing sector comprises of the following sub-sectors: (a) dairy products; (b) meat and poultry; (c) fish; (d) fruits and vegetables; (e) beverages; (f) spices; (g) confectionery; (h) bakery; and (i) processed foods.
Pharmaceuticals
The pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan is worth over Rs. 100 billion ($1.8 billion). The pharmaceutical market is dominated by domestic companies, which account for nearly 90 percent of the total sales.
However, foreign players have been entering the Pakistani pharmaceutical market in recent years. There are currently four multinational corporations operating in Pakistan. These include Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck & Co.
Paper Manufacturing
The paper industry in Pakistan is worth around $1.5 billion. The paper industry in Pakistan is mainly concentrated in the Punjab province.
The pulp and paper industry in Pakistan is estimated to contribute about 2.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is higher than the average of 1.9 percent for developing countries.
Engineering Industries
The engineering industry in Pakistan is worth about $1.5 billion, making it the third largest engineering sector after oil and gas and power generation.
The engineering sector in Pakistan is highly diversified, comprising five broad sectors:
(a) construction materials;
(b) electrical equipment;
(c) mechanical equipment;
(d) transportation equipment; and
(e) water supply and sanitation.
Automotive Industry
The automobile industry in Pakistan is worth $1.5 billion and is expected to increase further. The automotive industry in Pakistan is classified into passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, tractors, earth-moving machinery, and agricultural vehicles.
Information Technology
The information technology (IT) industry in Pakistan is worth approximately $1.5 billion annually. IT services in Pakistan are provided by both local and international firms.
The top ten software exporters in Pakistan are Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP AG, Symantec Corporation, IBM Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Accenture PLC, Capgemini Sogeti Limited, and Computer Sciences Corporation, and AT&T Inc.
