Basic chemicals, like sulphuric acid, soda ash and caustic soda, are required by many different industries. The basic raw materials for these chemicals like, salt, limestone, gypsum and natural gas, can be found in Pakistan in large quantities. Coal and oil are found in moderate quantities. At partition, Pakistan had a fairly weak chemical industry, but a great deal of progress has been made since then.
Sulphuric acid is used in the production of soap, paper, textiles, fertilizers, iron and steel, petrochemicals. A number of sulphur processing plants have been established in places such as Karachi, Daud Khel, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad. There has, therefore, been a steady rise in production. Caustic soda is also an important basic chemical, especially to the textile, oil-refining and soap industries. Processing plants have been established at Nowshera and Kala Shah Kaku near Lahore. There are two soda ash processing plants in Pakistan located at Karachi and Khewra. Despite a steady rise in production, the demand for this basic chemical outstrips its supply, so much of it has to be imported.