The leather industry in Pakistan is as old as the history of the country. During the colonial era just a few number of tanneries were working in large cities such as Karachi, Lahore, New Delhi etc. In the 1950s the number of well-equipped tanneries increased in Karachi, Lahore and other major industrial cities.
This number continued to rise for due to increase in demand of finished products as well as raw material in the national and international market. There are as much as 1300 Tanneries in the country engaged in producing best quality finished leather of Cow, Buffalo, and Sheep & Goat skins, Leather manufacturers & exporters are determined to increase export of quality finished leather and leather products.
Leather is one of a prolific contributor to the country's GDP and foreign exchange earnings, The Leather Industry of Pakistan is employing more than 900,000 people directly or indirectly at this time of age. A key sector in leather industry is the leather footwear industry which is capable of producing 200 million pairs annually and its current production is just 100 million pairs. Pakistan's share in the global skin and hides production is around 9% annually which can be doubled with just the right amount of time and effort. One can assess that these statistics show the industry's capabilities which are highly under-utilized.
