APTMA urges Jam to take steps to safeguard export sector

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged Commerce Minister Jam Kamal to take immediate measures to safeguard the country’s export sector amid regional energy supply disruptions.

In a letter addressed to the minister, the APTMA chairman drew attention to the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the region and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation, the association warned, is constraining the supply of oil and LNG to Pakistan, posing serious risks to the power sector and industrial energy security.

READ MORE: Rising Middle East conflict sparks energy, freight uncertainty for Pakistan’s textile sector: APTMA

APTMA stated that Pakistan’s current account deficit is expected to widen due to rising oil and LNG prices, while supply availability remains uncertain. At the same time, higher energy costs will directly undermine the competitiveness of the export sector. “This creates a double impact on the economy,” the association noted. “The dollar value of imports will increase significantly, while exports — already under pressure — will face further risk.”

The association cautioned that even if the conflict stabilizes in the coming weeks, disruptions in energy supply chains and elevated prices are likely to persist for several months. This, it said, poses a serious challenge for export-oriented industries that depend on reliable and reasonably priced energy.

APTMA has sought the commerce minister’s intervention to protect industrial exports through the following immediate measures: (i) immediate suspension of the Carbon Levy and the Petroleum Development Levy on Residual Fuel Oil (RFO), making it a financially viable option for captive power generation by export industries.

The association noted that, given current disruptions in international supply chains, the export of surplus RFO is unlikely in the near term, ensuring adequate domestic availability; and (ii) increased production from domestic gas fields and its allocation to the power sector.

According to APTMA, the power sector currently relies heavily on imported LNG — particularly from Qatar — the supply of which is facing serious disruption amid the present crisis. Enhancing domestic gas utilization would help reduce reliance on expensive and uncertain LNG imports.

“Timely action on these measures can help maintain energy availability for export industries and prevent a further decline in Pakistan’s export earnings during a period of external stress,” the APTMA chairman stated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026