The Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) is facing criticism over its proposed leasing model for industrial plots, which could potentially hinder the growth of exports from the region. According to Ahmad Afzal Awan, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), the leasing model may "adversely affect exporters and slow industrial growth" as it fails to provide the ownership security needed for substantial investments in machinery and infrastructure. Awan emphasized that Faisalabad is crucial for the country's textile and hosiery exports, and any policy that limits industrial ownership could negatively impact export volumes, employment, and foreign exchange earnings (Business Recorder, February 06, 2026).