The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) on Friday demanded of the government to lift the ban on import of cotton from other countries including India as it is expected that demand of cotton for the textile industry will be 15 million bales against the expected local production of 11 million bales. While talking to Business Recorder, Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab Ali Pervez Malik said that cotton is the basic raw material for textile industry used for making of yarn.
He said they had discussed the issue of shortage of four million cotton bales with Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan who had assured them that the summary regarding lifting of ban on import of cotton will be presented in the next meeting of Economic Coordination Committee.
While showing serious concerns on the viability of industry, Ali said they are getting electricity on high rates. "Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines Limited (SNGPL) has also conveyed them that it will be unable to provide system gas to industry from December 1; however it is ready to provide Re-Gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) at the rate of Rs 1200 MMBTU which is very expensive as compared to system gas. Moreover, it is difficult for the industry of Punjab to be compatible as Sindh is getting RLNG at the rate of Rs 600 MMBTU," he said.
Ali Pervez said that Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Revenue, will visit APTMA on Saturday in which industry representatives will discuss with him the issues regarding hurdles in implementation of Rs 180 billion Prime Minister Textile Package, competitiveness issue and the pending sales tax refund issue of around Rs 150 billion to Rs 200 billion.
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