Pakistan's government has approved the industrial production of hemp, with potential foreign exchange earnings of up to $1 billion in the next three years. This decision, approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan, marks the first legal production of hemp in the country. The plant's seeds produce hemp oil, its leaves are used in medicine, and its stem can replace cotton in the textile industry. The compound cannabidiol found in the hemp plant is crucial for medical science and therapies. The cultivation will be strictly controlled by the government to prevent confusion with poppy-growing, which is prevalent in Pakistan's lawless districts due to illegal production of opium and heroin.