Paris: A conference titled “Cotton thread – A multi-millennial history of the culture of Cotton of Pakistan” was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Paris, convening diplomats, UNESCO officials, representatives of the French textile industry, and fashion designers to delve into Pakistan’s extensive history of cotton cultivation and its evolution into a global fashion industry.

According to Press Information Department, Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch discussed the origins of cotton in ancient Pakistan, dating back approximately 7,000 years, and the role of regional farmers, spinners, and weavers in establishing a textile tradition. This tradition laid the groundwork for the global textile industry, carrying with it knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange as cotton spread across continents.

Ambassador Baloch emphasized that textiles and apparel are central to Pakistan’s manufacturing and exports, employing a significant portion of its industrial workforce. The textile industry extends from Faisalabad’s spinning mills to Karachi and Lahore’s export houses. For Pakistan, cotton is more than an agricultural crop or an economic commodity; it is integral to the country’s cultural heritage, encapsulating centuries-old traditions of spinning, weaving, embroidery, and textile craftsmanship. These traditions are part of the intangible cultural heritage that UNESCO aims to safeguard, encompassing the knowledge, skills, and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Fredrika Sundberg, founder of M/s Sunberg and President of the group “Cercle des Amis du Pakistan,” discussed the historical roots of cotton in Pakistan, from its origins in the Indus Valley to its current role in the textile industry. She also highlighted Pakistan’s export potential in the textile sector. Archaeologist Catherine Jarrige, former Co-Director of the French Archaeological Mission to the Indus Basin, provided insights into archaeological evidence showing cotton cultivation, spinning, and weaving in the Indus Valley Civilization over 7,000 years ago.

The event was organized as part of the Embassy’s public and economic diplomacy efforts to underscore Pakistan’s historical and contemporary ties to cotton cultivation, its textile industry, and its pivotal role in the nation’s economy.