Export industry challenges: PHMA (North Zone) vows joint efforts

FAISALABAD: The monthly meeting of the Zonal Committee of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone was held on October 14, at the PHMA Zonal Office in Faisalabad, under the chairmanship of Mian Farrukh Iqbal. The meeting discussed in detail the challenges facing the hosiery and value-added textile export industry, government policies, and the association’s future course of action.

Addressing the meeting, PHMA North Zone Chairman Mian Farrukh Iqbal thanked office-bearers and senior members who travelled from Lahore and Sialkot to attend the meeting. He emphasised that addressing the challenges confronting the industry and promoting exports required collective efforts, mutual cooperation, and a coordinated strategy among all office-bearers and members.

He said the industry’s concerns would be effectively raised before the government and relevant institutions and highlighted through print and electronic media to secure practical and sustainable solutions to the problems faced by exporters.

PHMA Group Leader Chaudhry Salamat Ali congratulated the newly elected leadership and observed that the office-bearers had previously served the association and the industry. He expressed confidence that the new leadership would discharge its responsibilities effectively and play a constructive role in resolving members’ issues, strengthening unity within the association, and promoting the growth of the textile industry.

PHMA Central Chairman Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain briefed participants on a recent Zoom meeting with the Secretary Commerce and Rana Ehsan Afzal, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Commerce, during which key concerns of the hosiery and value-added textile export sector were discussed.

The demands included restoration of the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) at 6 to 8 percent of the Free on Board (FOB) value, reduction in electricity and gas tariffs, maintenance of the policy interest rate in single digits, reduction of the income tax rate to 1.25 percent, and timely payment of customs rebates and other outstanding refunds.

He stressed that reducing production costs and ensuring policy consistency were essential to improving the competitiveness of Pakistani exporters in international markets. He urged all PHMA offices and office-bearers to adopt a coordinated approach to presenting these demands to the relevant authorities and securing lasting solutions for the industry.

Former PHMA North Zone Lahore Chairman Abdul Hameed assured the new leadership of his full cooperation in strengthening and developing the association. He said the Faisalabad, Lahore and Sialkot offices would continue to work in close coordination, as in the past, with the common objective of resolving members’ issues and promoting Pakistan’s value-added textile exports.

Former PHMA Vice Chairman Khawaja Musharraf Iqbal congratulated Faisalabad on attaining the status of a Zonal Office. He said he regarded Faisalabad as an elder brother and would stand shoulder to shoulder with its leadership in promoting the association’s progress, unity and institutional strength. He expressed hope that the three offices would continue working together through consultation and cooperation to address the challenges faced by the industry and its members.

Former PHMA North Zone Chairman Mian Kashif Zia highlighted various issues confronting the industry, particularly the difficulties faced by industrial units in dealing with the Environmental Protection Department. He proposed inviting relevant officials to the association’s platform to discuss industry concerns and develop appropriate solutions through consultation and effective coordination.

The meeting was also attended by PHMA North Zone Senior Vice Chairman Izhar-ul-Haq of Lahore, Vice Chairman Naveed Afzal Mir of Sialkot, members of the Executive Committee, and other senior members from Faisalabad, Lahore and Sialkot.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to working collectively through mutual cooperation, consultation and a unified approach to resolving the challenges facing the export industry, protecting members’ interests, and promoting Pakistan’s hosiery and value-added textile exports.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026