Pakistan’s textile industry stands as a backbone of its economy, with cotton as its lifeblood. Contributing more than 60% to the country’s exports and employing millions, cotton isn’t just a crop — it’s a socio-economic pillar. Yet, as climate change intensifies, the very foundation of this ecosystem is crumbling. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods are causing unpredictable harvests, reducing yields, and pushing farmers to the brink.

In Sindh and South Punjab — Pakistan’s major cotton-producing belts — farmers now struggle with water scarcity at one end and flood devastation at the other. In 2022 alone, historic floods wiped out 45% of Sindh’s cotton crop. Meanwhile, pests like whitefly and pink bollworm thrive in warmer, more humid conditions, forcing an overreliance on pesticides, which not only inflate costs but also degrade soil health.

The crisis is compounded by the slow adoption of climate-resilient seed varieties and a lack of effective government intervention. While genetically modified cotton has been introduced in some areas, its regulation and efficacy remain questionable. Additionally, poor access to climate advisories and crop insurance leaves smallholder farmers especially vulnerable.

The cotton crisis is not just agricultural — it’s economic. Mills run below capacity due to shortages, exporters lose international contracts, and the domino effect ripples across supply chains. A climate-resilient cotton economy needs a multipronged response: investment in drought-tolerant seeds, early-warning systems, farmer education, and public-private coordination on water management.

Pakistan’s cotton story is at a turning point — adapt or unravel. Without decisive action, the threads of this vital crop may continue to fray, pulling apart livelihoods and industries alike.