LAHORE: In Punjab, declining construction activities and rising production costs have caused a significant number of brick kilns to shut down.
According to a recent report, 20% of the total 7,332 brick kilns operating in Punjab have ceased operations due to lack of sales and mounting losses.
This has resulted in a substantial number of workers losing their jobs.
The production cost of one million bricks has increased from PKR 7 million to PKR 12 million due to the surge in the cost of transportation, coal, and mud per tractor-trolley.
The decreasing demand for bricks and the lowest prices in the last five years have intensified the challenges brick kiln owners face.
Mehar Abdul Haq, the Secretary General of the Kiln Owners Association, revealed that the brick kiln owners are incurring a monthly loss of PKR 1.5 million.
The situation has been aggravated by the flash floods in South Punjab last year, which resulted in severe damage to many brick kilns. These kilns have not been restored yet, leading to a shortfall in the production of bricks.
The shutting down of brick kilns has created a domino effect, resulting in a reduction in employment opportunities and a decline in the construction industry.
The government needs to take swift action to address this situation, as it can have a ripple effect on the economy of the region.
