Pakistani Handicrafts

Sialkot is the hub of Pakistani leather industry. Very few people are aware that FIFA used to import footballs for its soccer matches (including soccer cup finals) from Sialkot. These balls were the industry standard due their leather quality and superior craftsmanship. Besides sporting goods, jacket and gears made of fine grain leather, leather wallets and handbags, ash trays and various small and large decorative items are still being produced in Sialkot. The leather industry of Pakistan faces similar problems just like any other industry in the country but it posses another severe concern. That is the issue of non-proper disposal of poisonous waste from the leather tanneries.

The increase of tanneries in Pakistan is causing severe environmental degradation as the untreated effluent used in the tanning process is released into nearby water reservoirs and the sea. In addition, air pollution is on the rise with the tanneries burning residuals (i.e. hair) from the tanning process into the atmosphere.

The leather industry of Pakistan is continuously growing in contrast to other industries but with a huge price. The price is in the shape of extreme high risk to human health and infertility of lands where this poisonous waste is being dumped unfiltered. The official stats regarding human health will never accurately reflect the gravity of the situation. Some are attributing this situation no less than discharging radioactive material in the open air. A number of so called environmental protection agencies and NGOs are “trying to tackle” this issue but seems like that the leather mafia in Pakistan is way more powerful than them!