Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI) will establish fibre-testing laboratories in five districts of Punjab and Sindh to promote cotton-standardisation in the country.
This was stated by joint director PCSI Liaquat Ali Khan at the certificate-distribution ceremony of the successful candidates of 26-day long "cotton selectors' training course", organised by PCSI here on Saturday.
He said these laboratories, equipped with the latest fibre-testing gadgets, including high volume instruments (HVI), will be established in Ghotki, Rahimyar Khan, Vehari, Sanghar and Multan.
He said that the draft amendment to be made in the Cotton Control Act of 1966 was ready with the province of Punjab and Sindh and the summary has been submitted in this regard to the concerned quarters.
Khan pointed out that the amendment will provide a "mandatory marking" of cotton grade and staple on each bale to ensure that quality cotton is being supplied.
He said that initially five districts have been selected for these laboratories and later all the major cotton producing areas in the country will be covered under this project.
Earlier, vice-president Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) Dr Badar Ibad Siddiqui said that the government has provided all the necessary infrastructure for fully implementing cotton standardisation in the country.
He opined that now the private sector, particularly Karachi Cotton Association (KCA), has to take steps for full implementation of cotton standardisation in the country.
"The private sector has to take measures for marketing and pricing of cotton, based on grade and staple length on countrywide basis and for unified rates," Dr Ibad said. He said that Pakistan was producing long staple cotton and working on the production of extra-long staple cotton.
Other speakers, including vice-chairman KCA, underlined the need for cotton standardisation to produce good quality textile items and earn more foreign exchange for the country.
Later, Dr Badar Ibad distributed certificates among the successful cotton selectors. He urged them to gain expertise in their field.