Islamabad, March 5, 2026: A delegation representing Pakistan’s leather and footwear industry met with Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, to discuss challenges facing the sector, including the impact of used footwear imports, export opportunities, and regulatory reforms.
Industry representatives emphasized that Pakistan has substantial manufacturing capacity and skilled labor, with the potential to produce up to 700 million pairs of footwear annually, surpassing domestic consumption of around 550 million pairs. However, a growing influx of used footwear imports is creating market distortions and limiting local production.
Interactive Fact: Hover over the chart below to see domestic production vs. import trends in Pakistan’s footwear market.
| Metric | Figures |
| Annual domestic consumption | 550 million pairs |
| Installed production capacity | 700 million pairs |
| Market share by used imports | 30–40% |
| Potential production for exports | 150 million pairs |
The delegation noted that many used shoes, often branded, enter Pakistan at very low declared values under the “used clothing” category, which creates unfair competition for local manufacturers. They proposed introducing a separate HS code for used footwear to enable accurate monitoring, valuation, and sector-specific regulation.
The Joint Secretary (Tariff) confirmed that the proposal is on the agenda of the upcoming Tariff Policy Board meeting and may be considered in the federal budget after consultations and approvals.
Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan assured the delegation that the government supports local manufacturing and export-led growth. He encouraged stakeholders to strengthen exports, maintain reasonable domestic prices, and work with the government to address customs and regulatory challenges.
Both sides agreed to maintain close government-industry coordination, aiming to unlock the sector’s potential for employment generation, increased domestic production, and higher exports in the coming years.