Ashraf Mall
Punjab’s construction sector is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation, one that promises not only stronger infrastructure but also freedom for thousands trapped in bonded labour. As the province accelerates its shift toward machine-made brick production, experts believe Pakistan is standing at the threshold of a major social and industrial breakthrough.
Engineers, masons, and construction companies now widely agree that machine-made bricks, especially those produced through sand-lubricated technology, outperform traditional handmade bricks in strength, consistency, durability, and cost-efficiency. This shift carries implications far beyond the construction industry, influencing labour rights, economic development, and environmental reform.
A major force behind this change is Muhammad Umar of Umar Engineering in Faisalabad, who developed a sand-lubricated brick machine that eliminates the use of diesel oil. According to him, sand provides a clean and natural release from the mold, creating a brick surface that bonds more effectively with cement. In contrast, bricks produced with diesel lubrication retain an oily residue that compromises mortar adhesion and disrupts proper water absorption issues frequently observed by builders on construction sites.
Kiln owners and builders from Narowal, Chiniot, and Faisalabad report that sand-lubricated machine-made bricks are as strong as the best handmade bricks, while offering far greater uniformity. Their consistency also reduces cement usage, lowering overall construction costs and minimizing wastage.
Construction experts are increasingly endorsing the transition. Prime Perk Construction CEO Mohammad Irfan notes that these bricks maintain structural integrity even during heavy rain and challenging weather conditions. Masons working directly with the material share similar praise. Manzoor, a mason from Chiniot, says it feels as though he is working with top-grade handmade bricks due to their exceptional strength, especially when used for foundations. Another mason, Mohammad Tariq who has laid more than 600,000 sand-lubricated bricks shares that he has never experienced issues with mortar failure and that the material is already widely used in government projects.
Civil engineers also highlight the technical superiority of sand-lubricated bricks. Engineer Muhammad Umar confirms that the absence of diesel residue results in stronger mortar bonding and better water absorption, both in laboratory tests and on active sites. He stresses the need for further documentation and formal validation through academic institutions such as UET Lahore to support large-scale adoption.
Beyond the technical and financial benefits, the rise of machine-made bricks holds profound social impact. Traditional handmade brick molding relies on intense manual labour and often traps entire families including women and children in bonded debt for generations. With machine production significantly reducing the demand for manual molding, thousands of families now have an opportunity to break free from this cycle of exploitation.
Organizations such as Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI) and Families Set Free (FSF) are actively working to promote this technology while supporting the rehabilitation of families leaving the kilns. Their efforts focus on providing access to education, vocational training, and leadership development, giving children and youth the chance to build meaningful futures beyond the shadow of bonded labour.
The momentum behind machine-made bricks signals a major national opportunity. Stronger and more uniform bricks will lead to safer construction. Reduced cement usage will lower building costs. The decline in manual molding will help dismantle systems of bonded labour. And the emergence of a more professional, transparent, and environmentally responsible brick industry will support long-term sustainable development.
As Pakistan continues to modernize its construction landscape, the shift toward machine-made, sand-lubricated bricks may become one of the country’s most significant social and industrial reforms strengthening not only the physical foundations of its cities but also the lives of the people who help build them.