ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has sought the intervention of Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain for the revival and implementation of key decisions related to the cotton sector.
In a letter to the minister, APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad drew attention to the approved minutes of the 6th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Essential/Cash Crops, held under the chairmanship of the deputy prime minister.
He highlighted several time-bound priority decisions that require urgent action by the ministry, including: (i) establishment of an industry-led governance structure through the transformation of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) into the Pakistan Cotton Advisory Council (PCAC); (ii) collection of cotton cess through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR); (iii) allocation of 70 percent of cess funds exclusively for cotton research and development (R&D); and (iv) inclusion of provinces, research institutions, farmers, and the seed sector in the new institutional framework.
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“Since the Cabinet Committee meeting, the APTMA has repeatedly urged the ministry to ensure swift implementation of all decisions made with the consensus of stakeholders.
However, it is regrettable that no concrete measures have yet been initiated by the concerned authorities despite the passage of considerable time and repeated reminders,” the APTMA chairman stated.
He warned that the inordinate delay in implementation is fraught with significant national loss, particularly as the cotton sowing season has already commenced in various parts of the country.
According to him, continued inaction by the Ministry could further accelerate the persistent decline in cotton production, leading to increased imports and putting additional pressure on the country’s valuable foreign exchange reserves.
In view of the foregoing, APTMA has called for immediate action on the following measures: (i) issuance of a notification for the operationalisation of PCAC; (ii) necessary legal amendments to enable the collection of cess through FBR; (iii) allocation of 70 percent of cess funds for R&D; (iv) establishment of the approved industry-led governance structure; and (v) sharing of a time-bound implementation plan with the APTMA.
The textile industry, he noted, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting national cotton revival efforts. However, without urgent and decisive policy and institutional actions, the agreed strategy cannot translate into tangible outcomes.
He urged the minister to personally intervene to ensure immediate progress on these decisions in order to safeguard the cotton crop and the cotton-based industry, which provides employment to millions across the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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