Share now
Economic Activity; Sindh Province
Sindh has the 2nd largest economy in Pakistan. Historically, Sindh’s contribution to Pakistan’s GDP has been from 30% to 32.7%. Its share in the Service sector has ranged from 21% to 27.8% and in the agriculture sector from 21.4% to 27.7%. Performance wise, its best sector is the manufacturing sector, where its share has ranged from 36.7% to 46.5% of the total GDP of Pakistan.
Following are the major economic sectors of the province[1]:
- Agriculture with its allied livestock breeding, and fishing (37.2%)
- Mining (0.2%)
- Manufacturing (15.5%)
- Electricity, Gas and Water (0.6%)
- Construction (6.2%)
- Wholesale, Retail, Restaurant & Hotels (16.4%)
- Transport, Storage & Communication (6.1%)
- Accommodation and Food Services (0.6%)
- Finance & other Businesses (2.3%)
- Community, Social & Personal Services (11.2%)
- Activities not adequately defined (1.1%)
Thus, Sindh’s main industries include agriculture, horticulture, and livestock production, as well as the processing of products like textiles, tanning, pharmaceuticals, minerals, cement, salt, sugar, cotton, coal, and china clay. Sindh also contributes significantly to oil and gas production as well as the steel and automobile industries. The province has a large network of agro-based industries such as flour, rice, edible oil, and cotton ginning. Sindh is home to numerous brick kilns, and produces livestock products, while also establishing heavy industries like sugar, cement, cotton yarn, textiles, cloth, cigarettes, tanning, and pharmaceuticals. Many industrial units produce various types of industrial as well as consumer goods.
Agriculture – Land Use – Livestock Breeding – Fishing – Poultry – Irrigation– Manufacturing/ Industry – Mining – Handicrafts
Agriculture; Sindh Province
Sindh is a major producer of grain, fruits, and vegetables. The province produces 35% of rice, 28% of sugarcane, 20% of cotton and 12% of wheat of the total produced in Pakistan[2]. 30 to 50% of Pakistan’s vegetable crops and 12 to 50% of fruit crops are also grown in Sindh. 40% of all onions, 81% of all chilies and 35% of all tomatoes produced in Pakistan are grown in Sindh. According to the climatic and soil condition of the province, different areas are suitable for different crops, details of which follow.
Upper Sindh
The Upper Sindh and Right Bank areas of the Indus River are most suitable for crops. Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad are suitable for growing rice as the main crop, and peas, rape, mustard and safflower/sunflower as dobari[3] crops. Sukkur and Khairpur districts are best suited for dry crops like cotton, wheat, rape, mustard, and sunflower.
Middle Sindh
The plains of Middle Sindh are suitable for dry crops. Nawabshah, Naushero Feroze, and Dadu districts grow cotton, rape, mustard, and sunflower successfully.
Lower Sindh
The lower part of the province is best for sugarcane, coconut, bananas, and papaya plantations. The Upper part of Hyderabad (Hala, Hyderabad and Tando Allah Yar Sub-Division), Sanghar, and Mirpurkhas districts are suitable for cotton, wheat, sunflower, soybean, rape and mustard and groundnut (in Sanghar only). Tando Mohammad Khan, sub-division of Hyderabad district, Badin, and Thatta districts are suitable for sugarcane and rice crops. In addition to these crops, sunflower, and rape and mustard are also grown as dobari. Maash and masoor pulses are grown in Thatta and Badin districts.
Desert and Katchho Area
The Eastern portions of the province and Kacho areas are suitable for rain-fed crops like millets and guar. Thar district and Kacho tracts of Hyderabad, as well as Dadu and Larkana districts are suitable for millet and sorghum crops, while guar, sesanum, and caster crops also flourish very well in the desert areas of Thar after rains.
In addition, a large variety of fruits and vegetables are grown in various districts of Sindh.
The following map shows the Agro-Ecological zones of Sindh province:
Figure 1.9 Sindh: Agro-Ecological Zones
Land Use; Sindh Province
Agriculture, followed by forestry, is the main land use in the Central Alluvial Plain. The land inside the Indus embankments is almost equally employed by agriculture and forestry, while that outside the embankments is more extensively utilized for agriculture in the form of sparsely distributed irrigated plantations. The following table shows the land use statistics of Sindh province as per Sindh Development Statistics 2018-19:
Total Area | 14,091,000 HA | Reported[4] Area | 14,091,000 HA |
Total Cultivated Area | 6,194,000 HA | Net Sown[5] | 2,684,000 HA |
Current Fallow[6] | 2,514,000 HA | Total Uncultivated Area | 8,893,000 HA |
Culturable waste[7] | 1,607,000 HA | Forest area | 1,034,000 HA |
Table 1.7 Sindh Land Use Statistics
Irrigation Network; Sindh Province
The irrigation system of Pakistan, fed by River Indus and its tributaries, is the largest integrated irrigation network in the world. The irrigation network of Sindh is controlled through 3 barrages:
- Gudu Barrage. Commanded area: 2.179 million acres
- Sukkur Barrage. Commanded area: 7.63 million acres
- Kotri Barrage. Commanded area: 3.006 million acres
The total area covered by these barrages is 12.815 million acres. Sukkur Barrage alone is the largest unified irrigation infrastructure in the world. The combined network of these 3 barrages includes 937 km of feeder canals, 2,501 km of main canals, 4,909 km of branch canals and 12,954 km of distributaries.
This large network is overseen and managed by the Irrigation & Power Department and Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA).
Spate[1] irrigation is used in addition to the irrigation system mentioned already, in specific arid zones of Sindh. The arid zones include Thar region (Tharparkar & Umerkot) and Nara region (Sanghar, Khairpur, Ghotki and Sukkur) in the East, and Katchho and Kohistan regions (Dadu and Thatta) in the West. Specific areas cultivated via spate irrigation are Dadu, Larkana, Jamshoro, Karachi, and Thatta. In Pakistan, as per irrigation data of 2005, total area under spate irrigation was about 8.2% of the total irrigated area. Separate data for Sindh is not available.
The Kirthar Range, a mountainous region of the Kohistan area, and parts of the Dadu division receive isolated small scale hill torrents, which are diverted for runoff farming. The exact area under runoff farming is not known due to the scattered nature of this type of farming. However, it is significantly more when compared to rain-fed farming in the province.
Tube well and dug wells are also used for irrigating lands. The following table shows the modes of irrigation and area of the province irrigated by each mode[2]:
Mode of Irrigation | Area | Mode of Irrigation | Area |
Total irrigated Area | 1,688,109 HA | Canal Irrigated | 1,327,599 HA |
Well Irrigated | 308 HA | Tube well irrigated | 360,202 HA |
Table 1.19 Sindh Irrigation Statistics
The following map shows the irrigation system of Sindh in detail:
Figure 1.20 Sindh Irrigation Network Map
[1] Spate irrigation is a type of irrigation system in which rain water is harvested stored and used for irrigation
[2] Sindh Development Statistics 2017-18
Livestock Breeding; Sindh Province
27% of all cattle[8], 28% of buffaloes and 40% of Pakistan’s poultry is bred in Sindh. Livestock production occupies a strategic position in the agrarian economy of the province, as well as the country, particularly in the context of economic growth. Livestock and poultry provide food of high value (that maintains the general health of the population) like milk, meat, dairy products, and eggs. Livestock also contributes by producing raw materials like raw wool, raw skins and hides, leather, animal hair, and bones, which are used to produce multiple products. Animal hair, for example, is used to make rugs, coats, air filters, and insulation material, while bones are used to make fertilizers, glass, and refined sugar, and blood is used in dyes and inks, adhesives, and medicines. This sector helps provide a source of income to landless farmers. Livestock and poultry breeding is one of the biggest industries in the province. The following table presents the statistics for the livestock population of Sindh as per Sindh Development Statistics 2012-13 which uses the 2006 Livestock Census (the latest held livestock census):
Cattle | 6,925,000 Heads | Buffaloes | 7,340,000 Heads | Sheep | 3,959,000 Heads |
Goats | 12,572,000 Heads | Camels | 278,000 Heads | Asses | 1,004,000 Heads |
Horses | 45,000 Heads | Mules | 20,000 Heads |
Table 1.8 Sindh Livestock Statistics
The following map shows the main livestock zones of Sindh[9]:
Figure 1.10 Sindh Livestock Breeding Zones
Major Livestock breeds in the province are:
- Goat: barbari, lehri, bugri or bagitoori, chappar (kohistani[10] or jabli), desi Sindhi, jattan or dhattan, kamori, pateri, tapir, kamori, and tharki
- Cattle: red Sindhi, thari, kankrej, and lohani
- Sheep: kutchhi, kooka, and dumbi
- Buffalo: kundi and nili ravi
- Camel: larri or Sindhi, kharai, sakrai, dhatti, and kachhi
Poultry Farms; Sindh Province
In rural areas, poultry in small numbers is bred in houses by women for eggs and meat to meet domestic needs. Most of the commercial poultry farms are located around urban centers. Presently, the Poultry Industry contributes a large segment to the national economy and has become the 2nd largest industry after textile in Pakistan. In all, there are 7,290 poultry farms in the province (Table 17: Number of Commercial Poultry Farms and Number of Birds by Size of Flock).
Fishing; Sindh Province
Sindh holds a primary position in Pakistan in the fisheries industry. Of Pakistan’s 1,050 km long coastline, approximately 350 km is in Sindh. In addition to the long coastline, which provides access to the Indian Ocean, almost 100% of brackish, 65% of freshwater and 71% of marine fish resources of Pakistan are caught and processed in Sindh. Over 16,000 boats of all categories are engaged in fishing along the coast. The wetlands of Sindh serve as spawning, rearing and nursery grounds for the production of shrimp, lobsters and fish[11].
There are 3 fish harbors in Sindh:
- Karachi Fish Harbor
- Karachi Fisheries Harbor
- Korangi Fish Harbor
All of these harbors are located in Karachi. These harbors provide all facilities for storage and packing of fish.
In addition to marine fishing, inland fishing is carried out in all the rivers/streams and lakes of the province.
Manufacturing/ Industry; Sindh Province
Sindh has a total of 28 industrial zones in various districts of Sindh. In addition, there are small industry zones and some special economic zones which contribute to a thriving handicrafts and home-based small industry. The zones provide special help and incentives by the Provincial Government to promote small industries.
Details of the type and number of manufacturing industries in Sindh are shown in the following table[12]
Industry | No. | Industry | No. |
Food Products & Beverages | 556 | Tobacco Products | 03 |
Manufacturing of Textiles | 447 | Wearing Apparel | 165 |
Leather Products | 30 | Wood & Wood Products | 19 |
Paper & Paper Products | 29 | Publishing, Printing & Reproduction | 37 |
Coke & Petroleum | 11 | Chemicals & Chemical Products | 167 |
Rubber & Plastic Products | 51 | Other Non-metallic Mineral Products | 46 |
Basic Metals | 55 | Fabricated Metal Products | 42 |
Machinery & Equipment NEC | 43 | Electrical Machinery & Apparatus NEC | 17 |
Radio, TV & Communication Equipment | 04 | Medical & Optical Instruments | 06 |
Motor Vehicles & Trailers | 69 | Other Transport Equipment | 11 |
Furniture | 17 | TOTAL | 1,825 |
Table 1.9 Sindh Industry
Minerals and Mining; Sindh Province
Sindh is very rich in minerals. The following minerals have been discovered so far in this province:
- Coal: There are huge reserves of coal at Meting and Jhimpir in Thatta district. It is estimated that there are about 25 million metric tons of coal deposits in these reserves. At present, 20,000 metric tons of coal is being mined annually from these mines. A very big coal mine at Lakhra in Dadu district contains an estimated reserve of about 1.328 billion metric tons[13] of coal. Other large deposits of coal have recently been discovered near Islamkot, Tharparkar. An estimated 175+ billion tons of proven reserves of good quality coal is spread over 9,000 km2 of the Thar Desert
- Granite: Large granite rock formations are found in the Nagarparkar region of Thar. These formations are 442 meters (1,450 feet) to 457 meters (1,500 feet) high and cover an area of about 104 km2 (40 miles2). It is found in a wide range of colors and textures, depending on the location of the rock formations
- Lake Salt: Saran Lake in Taluka Deeplo, District Tharparkar is the biggest salt lake in Sindh. Dhalyar Lake, another salt lake being used to produce lake salt, is located in Taluka Khipro district, Sanghar. Nearly 200,000 metric tons of salt is extracted annually from the sea water at Maripur and Dhabeji, near Karachi
- Alum: This is mostly found in the Kirthar Mountain Range
- Bentonite: It is found in Qadirpur (district Ghotki). 975,000 kg of Bentonite was extracted in 2011, now its estimated annula extraction is around 1000-1500 tons[14].
- Celestite: This is found in Thatta, Dadu
- Gypsum: Gypsum is found in Dadu district
- China Clay (Kaolin): This is found in Nagarparkar, Tharparkar district
- Shale (Clay): Shale is mostly found in the Kirthar Mountain Range
- Chalk: This is found in Nara Taluka of Khairpur district, Nawabshah district, Umarkot district, and Shah Bundar, Thatta district
- Dolomite: This is found in Jhimpir, Thatta district
- Fuller’s Earth: This is found in Khairpur district and Dadu district
- Limestone: Limestone is mostly found in the Kirthar Mountain Range in addition to other mountain ranges
- Marble: Marble is found in Thatta district, Jamshoro district, Dadu district, and all areas of Kirthar and Lakki Mountain Ranges
- Silica Sand: This is found in Jamshoro district
- Trona (Soda Ash): Trona is associated with lake salt deposits and lakes, and is the primary source of sodium carbonate. There are several hundred lakes in Pakistan with trona deposits, some of which are located in Sindh
- Oil and gas: 56% of all oil production and 37% of all natural gas production of Pakistan is from Sindh. Major oil and gas producing districts are Hyderabad, Thatta, Jamshoro and Badin. Natural gas is being mined in nearly all districts of Sindh
Handicrafts; Sindh Province
Sindh has a rich heritage of traditional crafts that has evolved over the centuries. Sindhi artisans are known for ajraks, pottery, leatherwork, carpets, textiles, and silk cloths. The chief articles produced both for domestic use and for export[15] are blankets, coarse cotton cloth (soosi), camel fittings, metalwork, lacquered, and enamel work, as well as gold and silver embroidery. Different regions of Sindh produce different types of handicrafts:
- Hala: tiles, wooden handicrafts, textiles, paintings, handmade paper products, and blue pottery. Lacquered wood works known as Jandi, painting on wood, tiles, and pottery known as Kashi, hand woven textiles including khadi, susi, and ajraks are also produced in Hala
- Boobak (Dadu): carpets
- Nasarpur (Matiari), Gambat (Khairpur) and Thatta: cotton lungees and khes
- Johi (Dadu): earthenware
- Shikarpur: metal vessels
- Tharparkar: rilli, embroidery, and leather articles
- Kandhkot: lacquered work
Historically, the work of Sindhi artisans was sold in the ancient markets of Armenia, Baghdad, Basra, Istanbul, Cairo, and Samarkand. The refined, lightweight, colorful, and washable fabrics from Hala became a luxury for people used to the woolens and linens of the age.
The ajra— a shawl-type cotton fabric dyed using natural dyes and decorated with traditional (geometrical) patterns—has existed in Sindh since the birth of its civilization. The color blue is predominantly used in ajraks. Sindh was traditionally a large producer of indigo and cotton cloth, and both were exported to the Middle East before the British colonization of the region. The presentation of an ajrak is a mark of respect and it is most commonly used as a gift at important festivals like Eid and occasions like weddings.
Another important Sindhi handicraft is the rilli, or patchwork quilt. Most Sindhi homes have a set of rillis—one for each member of the family, and a few spare for guests. The rilli is made with small pieces of cloth of different geometrical shapes sewn together to create intricate designs. They may be used as a bedspread or a blanket, and are often given as gifts to friends and guests.
The Sindhi cap, another trademark Sindhi handicraft, is manufactured commercially on a small scale at New Saeedabad and Hala. Markets like Karachi have a high demand for this cap, but these manufacturing sites have a limited production capacity. Traditionally, the Sindhi cap is round in shape. A portion in front is cut out to expose the forehead. It comes in 2 varieties: hard and soft. The hard variety keeps its shape when not worn, while the soft variety can be folded and put in one’s pocket. Most Sindhis, rich or poor, own a Sindhi cap.
Figure 1.11 Sindh Handicrafts: Traditional Hand Held Fans
Figure 1.12 Sindh Handicrafts: Handmade Rilli Quilt
Figure 1.13 Sindh Handicrafts: Kundan Jewelry, Sindh
[1] Labour Force Survey 2017-18
[2] State of Environment and Development IUCN 2004
[3] Dobari crops are crops sown on land which is not utilized between two summer crops of rice, from September/ October to May
[4] Reported Area is Total Area. It includes cultivated area (net area sown + current fallow), culturable waste, unculturable land, and forest area.
[5] Net Sown means the area which has been sown at least once in a year. It will include area under crops, fruit, vegetables etc.
[6] Current Fallow means the part of the cultivated area which has not been used for crops during the year.
[7] Culturable Waste means all cultivable land not actually cultivated. It should include all grazing and other land not included under forest.
[8] State of Environment and Development IUCN 2004
[9] JICA Master Plan and Study Livestock Sector Sindh 2012
[10] Names of livestock breeds derived from districts or cities/ towns are capitalized, while others are not.
[11] State of Environment and Development IUCN 2004
[12] Census of Manufacturing Industries 2005-06 (Latest available)
[13] Presentation paper in Oil and Gas Conference 2007. This mine has only recently been discovered, and remains largely untapped.
[14] Mineral Resources in Sindh by Farzana Panhwar,
[15] Most NGOs as well as the Small & Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) are developing a directory of all artisans to try and regulate exports and sales of handicrafts across Pakistan, in order to ensure that the manufacture and sale of the goods contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Sindh Districts
- Karachi District Profile
- Badin District Profile
- Dadu District Profile
- Ghotki District Profile
- Hyderabad District Profile
- Jacobabad District Profile
- Jamshoro District Profile
- Kashmore District Profile
- Khairpur District Profile
- Larkana District Profile
- Matiari District Profile
- Mirpurkhas District Profile
- Naushero FerozeDistrict Profile
- Sanghar District Profile
- Shahdadkot District Profile
- Shaheed Benazirabad District Profile
- Shikarpur District Profile
- Sukkhur District Profile
- Tando AllahYar District Profile
- Tando Mohammad Khan District Profile
- Tharparkar District Profile
- Thatta District Profile
- Umerkot District Profile
Also visit: Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa