APTMA says concerned at govt’s failure to implement cotton revival plan

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed serious concern over the government’s failure to implement the cotton revival plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Essential/Cash Crops, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

The committee had directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) to implement a cotton revival roadmap developed by APTMA in consultation with all stakeholders. The plan also envisaged the establishment of the Pakistan Cotton Board and an industry-led governance structure for the sector.

However, despite repeated reminders from APTMA, implementation has yet to begin, even as the cotton sowing season has nearly passed.

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The delay, the association warned, could force Pakistan to import large quantities of cotton, costing billions of dollars in foreign exchange.

In a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad referred to the 6th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Essential/Cash Crops held on October 22, 2025, which approved key reforms for reviving the cotton sector.

According to APTMA, the approved measures included restructuring the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) into the Pakistan Cotton Advisory Council/Pakistan Cotton Board, introducing industry-led governance reforms, collecting cotton cess through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and allocating 70 percent of cess funds for cotton research and development.

Despite the passage of considerable time and repeated follow-ups, APTMA noted that no concrete steps have been taken in any of these areas.

The association warned that the continued delay has already resulted in the loss of the current sowing season and may further accelerate the decline in domestic cotton production. This, in turn, is likely to increase reliance on costly imports, putting additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

APTMA urged Dar to personally intervene and direct MNFSR and other relevant departments to immediately implement the approved decisions, with progress to be shared with the association.

Referring to the approved minutes of the October 22, 2025 meeting, APTMA highlighted several time-bound priority actions requiring urgent attention. These include the establishment of an industry-led governance structure, transformation of PCCC into the Pakistan Cotton Advisory Council, collection of cotton cess through FBR, allocation of 70 percent of cess funds exclusively for R&D, and inclusion of provinces, research institutions, farmers, and the seed sector in the new framework.

APTMA reiterated that it has consistently pressed the ministry for swift implementation of these decisions, which were agreed upon by all stakeholders. However, it regretted that no meaningful progress has been made so far.

The association cautioned that further inaction could lead to a continued decline in cotton output and a surge in imports, causing significant economic losses at a time when the sowing season is already underway in various parts of the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026