The silk weavers of Herat say that the uncontrolled import of silk fabrics from China and Pakistan has severely impacted the ancient silk weaving industry in this province. 

According to them, many silk weavers have been forced to leave their work due to the decline in the industry. 

Aminullah, who has been supporting his family with silk weaving for over 60 years, says that two decades ago, dozens of silk weaving workshops were active in Herat city. However, in recent years, nearly eighty percent of these workshops have closed. 

He told TOLOnews, “This industry is disappearing; in the past, it was between 60 and 100 percent active, but now only 15 percent of it remains, and even that 15 percent is on the verge of extinction.” 

Mohammad Asif, another silk weaver from Herat who inherited this profession from his father, is unhappy with the state of the silk weaving market and says, “The turbans come from Pakistan, and scarves from China. If these imports aren’t stopped, their tariffs must be raised so we can compete with them.”

“Turbans come from Pakistan and scarves from China; the silk weavers here have either quit their jobs or started rickshaw driving or left for Iran to do other work,” said Ali Reza, a silk fabric seller.

Local officials in Herat say they are working to revive the silk weaving industry in this province. 

“We have supported this industry in areas of marketing and packaging. Global standards need to be established for them to stay competitive with products from other countries, “said Bashir Mohammad Sairat, the head of industry and commerce in Herat.  

Silk weaving is one of Herat’s ancient industries with a very long history. In the past, dozens of silk weaving workshops, especially along the southern road of Herat's Great Mosque, were active. However, according to silk weavers, the import of silk fabrics from neighboring countries has brought this historical industry to a serious standstill.