Silver, brass and copper work needs proper attention of the government for grabbing share in the international market. This centuries old antique work in this part of the world is very popular throughout the world for its innovative formulations, quality and unique finishing.
The indigenous crafts and other handicrafts such as metal, silver, brass and copper work lacked promotion at commercial level, which is injustice and negligence to our rich heritage.
These views were expressed by Ishtiaque Ahmed, Muhammad Ali and Ahmed Ali, craftsmen of silver, brass and copper and owners of the well-known centre of Makkah Handicraft near St. Patrick College here while talking to newsmen.
They said such indigenous crafts are a part of our culture and heritage and held unique importance all over the world, which should be preserved and promoted at every level.
They maintained that these crafts have indigenous roots and skills therefore, these could not be done in other parts of the world easily and most of their customers were hailing from abroad.
They cited the example of neighbouring country, India which provided maximum incentives and subsidy to the craftsmen of silver, brass, copper and other metal work to promote their skills, though Pakistani crafts had more finishing and quality of work.
They urged the government to provide subsidy on the material used in making relics and other items and soften the procedure of exporting the crafts to other countries.
They also called for providing loans on easy terms because the work needed investment of money at initial stages and due to scarce of amount they were unable to take big contracts from abroad.
Speaking on the background of the craft, they informed that they inherited this work from their ancestors.
Their grand-father and father, they said, were engaged in silver craft in Delhi, and after partition of the sub-continent they resumed their ancestral profession here in Pakistan.
However, they started work of brass and copper as well 30 years back.
They also expressed their concern over the declining number of craftsmen and lacking interest of new generation in the work.
They regretted that for some reasons the craftsmen were shy in transferring their skills to others including their children and feared that after some time the number of craftsmen might deplete further.
They said some youngsters came and showed their interest to learn the skill, but soon after they ran away because of its complexity and time consumption.
They also appealed to the government to focus on the development of this distinguished skill meant to preserve the country's culture and heritage.
They said their work included the verses of the Holy Quran, antique ornaments, idols and all types of items.