Afghan carpets have always been famous across the globe, and Afghan refugees living in Karachi have also contributed a lot in boosting carpet export from Pakistan, said Barrister Samin Khan, Patron-in-Chief of PAFS (Pak-Afghan Friendship Society) on Sunday.

He was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Mughal Carpet Weavers’ Association, organised by the Karachi-based Afghan refugees, held in Afghan camp, Gadap Town.

Barrister Khan said that Pakistan was the sole country that always opened its borders for Afghan refugees - during the Soviet invasion and later on as well.

He asked Afghan refugees to conform to all the rules and regulations of Pakistan and to continue this business to contribute to Pakistan’s economy.

Haji Hassan Taluqani, Chairman of the newly-formed association, said that, “the carpet industry of Pakistan has been playing an important role in its economy. Every year, it brings nearly 2.5 million dollars to Pakistan.”

He added that 60 per cent of carpet weaving in Pakistan is done by Afghan refugees. He also mentioned that 95 per cent of carpet weavers belong to Mughal tribes like ethnic Uzbeks and Turkmens. That is why Mughal Carpet Weavers Association was founded, he said - to safeguard the concerns and problems of nearly 1,500 Afghan carpet weavers in Karachi.

In addition, he said that the repatriation of Afghan refugees would seriously affect the existing carpet industry in Pakistan. “We are ready to pay income-tax to the Government of Pakistan, if they allow us to extend our business and also do not violate our rights,” he added.

Ibrahim Mughal, office-bearer of the association, asked for the co-operation of the ministries of industries and labour in establishing carpet weaving schools where this art could also be taught to Pakistani carpet weavers.

In addition, he said that owners of carpet factories would pay income tax to Pakistan if all carpet weavers could get a special card to continue their business in Pakistan after 2009, which is the deadline of voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan.

Chubi Ziglar, Samrqand, Bukhara and Khazaq are the main types of Afghan carpets which are weaved in Afghan camps and exported all over the world from here by local Pakistani carpet dealers.

President of PAFS and Provincial Chief of Awami Muslim League, Advocate Mahfooz Yar Khan, Agha Azam, representative of Afghan Refugees Repatriation Cell, and other signatories were also present during the ceremony.