Textile sector disapproves appointment of new federal textile minister

Value-added textile sector has disapproved the appointment of new federal textile minister under the government's fresh cabinet reshuffling, saying the move will hurt textile export as well as the industry.
Talking to Business Recorder on Thursday, former central Chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea), Mohsin Ayub Mirza said that he was not happy with the appointment of new textile minister.
He further said that former federal Textile Minister, Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan had struggled to boost up textile export during his last three years tenure and gained maximum experience through interaction with the industry's stakeholders. "It is unjust and insane to replace a man under whose tenure the country witnessed a remarkable 26 percent growth in textile exports during the last seven months of the current year," he expressed disappointment.
He said the former textile minister had the maiden textile policy to his credit, giving the industry a hope to grow with a roadmap, which was badly missing before. Mohsin said the new federal minister Khawaja Shabuddin was from the federal healthcare sector and had no experience and interest in the textile sector.
"How come a new minister knowing nothing about the problems of the textile sector will help the manufacturers and exporters overcome their longstanding and routine problems," he questioned. Former Prgmea chief said the incumbent government had been left with nearly two years to govern the nation then how it would respond to challenges ahead with fresh faces.
He said changing on key posts at present would harm the country's economy and urged President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to recall the outgoing federal textile minister. He said the textile industry would now start making fresh links and the new minister already does not know anything about the industry's issues.
He said new secretary and minister both did not have experience of textile industry, adding the policies given already needed an additional focus to attain the desired aims. Mohsin said the former textile minister had no stigma of corruption, therefore, "he may be the victim of his clear and honest attitude as a minister". The minister had created huge employment opportunities through training programmes across the country, besides helping the investors in the sector, he said. He lauded Rana Farooq for his facilitating role towards the SME sector and manufacturers during his tenure.