Pakistan is one of the major suppliers of surgical instruments in the world. Of the surgical instruments produced in Pakistan 95% are manufactured in Sialkot.
The Surgical industry in Sialkot city of Pakistan started off with the repairing of scissors and other ordinary instruments during the British era. In 1905, some local craftsman repaired surgical instruments for an American Missionary Hospital in Sialkot.
Encouraged by the positive response from the hospital staff, the locals started manufacturing some basic instruments on a small scale. The industry made a breakthrough in the International Market when it received orders from Egypt and Afghanistan.
The 2nd World War further strengthened the surgical industry as now Sialkot was supplying instruments to the British and the Allied Forces.
The partition of India did not affect the industry much as most of the workers being Muslims opted to stay back in Sialkot. The industry slowly edged its way to progress and has become a big contributor in the country’s economy.
Pakistan now produces sophisticated surgical instruments. Currently Pakistan is supplying surgical instruments to 140 countries of the world. Around 150,000 to 2, 00,000 people are employed in this industry. Sialkot is situated in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.
It is the 2nd largest foreign exchange earner after Karachi. There are a number of medium/small cottage industries which not only provide employment to the people but also contribute to the country’s revenue. The hard work, skills and craftsmanship of the locals have earned a good name for the country.
Among these industries, Sports Goods Industry tops the list. The sports industry originated in Sialkot during the British era in 1895. Cricket bats were built and exported to other parts of Asia in 1903. Foot balls were also supplied and in 1920, the British army acknowledged the skills of the local manufacturer by awarding the British Empire Sports Award.
Sialkot is famous throughout the world for its high quality sports goods. The soccer balls manufactured in Sialkot came in to lime light when the “Tango Ball” from Sialkot was used in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Since then there has been no turning back and now the Pakistani soccer balls are very much in demand. In the years 1994 and 1998, it earned the honor of supplying official soccer balls to the FIFA World Cup.
Almost all the major sports brands like Adidas, Puma and Nike employ the services of manufacturers of Sialkot Sports Industries. Besides soccer balls, cricket bats, hockey sticks and gloves and other sports accessories are also manufactured and exported abroad. The sports goods made in Sialkot are a masterpiece of perfection and quality.
