Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday urged the government to take swift and sustainable measures to address the mounting problems facing the country's garment industry, warning that failure to act could further destabilise the fragile economy.

“Saving the industry is not just about saving its owners; it is also about saving the country. The government must play a responsible role in protecting both industrial entrepreneurs and the workforce engaged in the sector,” he said in a Facebook post.

He identified the failure to ensure uninterrupted power supply, high fuel prices, rising production costs and uncertainty in the global market as major challenges facing the country's leading export sector.

He also cited the cancellation and withdrawal of export orders, along with a decline in new orders, as factors putting the industry under severe pressure.

Meanwhile, garment workers are facing growing financial hardships due to rising house rents, prices of essential commodities, transportation costs and medical expenses, he said.

The Jamaat chief called for immediate and sustainable measures to resolve the problems and keep the country's principal export sector afloat.

Ensuring uninterrupted power supply and increasing production, he said, would help address the other challenges through rational consideration and appropriate measures.

He also urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint and act responsibly to prevent further instability in the industry.

“Any failure in this regard could push the country's already fragile economy to the brink of destruction. There is no room for delay,” he said.