Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced the closure of its operations in Pakistan, marking the latest in a spate of multinational companies pulling out of the country amid mounting economic pressures. The move has stirred anxiety among citizens over potential shortages of household staples such as Gillette razors, Head & Shoulders shampoo, and detergents.
All manufacturing and commercial activities of P&G Pakistan, including its razors division Gillette, will cease, the firm confirmed. The US-based company, which entered Pakistan in 1991, quickly became a leading player in the nation’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, with products spanning personal care, home care, and oral hygiene.
A surge of social media reactions has followed, with many Pakistanis voicing concern over the availability of essential items. “I just don't understand P&G. 240 million Pakistanis still need soaps, detergent and shaving cream. Come on, this makes no sense,” tweeted Nadeem Khan from Lahore.
Procter & Gamble’s household brands, including Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Tide, Oral-B, Gillette, Old Spice, Ariel, and Pampers, became staples across the country. Their abrupt exit has triggered fears that cheaper or lower-quality alternatives will flood the market, undermining consumer confidence.
An engineer from Islamabad, Javed Iqbal, lamented, “I have always used the Gillette Blue 3 razor for shaving, but for the past 3 months I haven't been able to find it in the market (Islamabad). It is top quality, and the only alternative available is Treet, which is very poor in comparison.”
Also read: India slams Pakistan at UN over terror, IMF loans | Operation Sindoor, UNSC debate
The company indicated that some products would remain available via third-party distributors. However, economic analysts say the exit reflects deeper structural problems. “I hope such exits make the rulers aware that all is not well,” Saad Amanullah Khan, a former executive at Gillette Pakistan, told Bloomberg. He cited high power costs, weak infrastructure, and a challenging business environment as key factors behind the departure of MNCs.
The retreat of P&G follows the exit of several other major firms, including Shell, Pfizer, Total Energies, Microsoft, and Telenor, over the past two years. Analysts point to continued economic instability, surging costs, and regulatory uncertainties as major deterrents for foreign investors.
Earlier, Pakistan faced global attention when videos of stampedes during the distribution of free flour went viral, reflecting the fragile economic situation. Citizens have also grappled with water crises following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack. Social media users have drawn parallels between the MNC exodus and persistent hardships, often laced with satire.
Despite the departure of P&G, some reassurance comes as certain products may still circulate through alternative channels, offering temporary relief to households dependent on the multinational’s brands.
Follow us
