Cotton Exchange Building case: KCA urges immediate compliance with SHC order

KARACHI: The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) has expressed its deep concern that despite decision of the High Court of Sindh dated 18-06-2026, reproduced below, the concerned authorities (Evacuee Trust Property Board) in whose possession the property is, are reluctant to handover the possession of the Cotton Exchange Building a premier landmark, to the Karachi Cotton Association and its legal tenants, which was unlawfully sealed by the authorities concerned on 12-12-2025.

“…….the KCA shall enjoy the possession of property and continue its business activities without any disturbance.”

The prolonged, seven-month closure of the Cotton Exchange Building and unlawful seizure of the documents and Computers has completely halted the administrative operations of the KCA and paralysed the businesses of its legal tenants, including key cotton traders, merchants, ginners, spinners, exporters and indenters.

This ongoing disruption has inflicted severe financial losses on KCA and individual stakeholders and caused significant damage to the national economy, it said.

Established since 1933, the KCA holds a unique and irreplaceable position in Pakistan’s agricultural and trade infrastructure. Unlike standard trade bodies, the KCA performs vital regulatory and operational functions, including:

1, Market Regulation: Announcing the official Daily Spot Rates of Cotton.

2, Dispute Resolution: Providing essential arbitration facilities for buyers and sellers.

3, Quality Assurance: Operating specialized cotton sample testing facilities for stakeholders.

4, Capacity Building: Conducting technical training courses to support the cotton trade and textile value chain.

5, Various other vital functions related to Pakistan cotton value-chain.

The KCA strongly emphasises that the continued disregard of the Sindh High Court’s Order dated 18.06.2026 severely undermines institutional operations and disrupts a multi-billion-rupee textile supply chain.

The KCA urges upon the authorities concerned (Evacuee Trust Property Board) to immediately hand over the possession of the Cotton Exchange Building along with all documents and belongings to the KCA and its legal tenants in pursuance of Order of Sindh High Court dated 18-06-2026 so that the KCA and its tenants may once again become fully operational and continue to play its pivotal role in Pakistan’s cotton economy to earn much needed foreign exchange for our beloved country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026