Closure of textile mills annoys governor

Aptma Chairman Aamir Fayyaz made a detailed presentation on the existing state of affairs in the Punjab-based textile industry. He said the regional competitors were competing Pakistan ahead due to the timely interventions by their governments. The presentation also highlighted a huge difference in cost of production in Pakistan compared to the regional countries. He said the government should immediately address the energy cost issues by ensuring uniformity in prices, i.e., electricity at Rs7 per kWh and LNG at Rs600 per MMBTU. He also seeked an immediate release of stuck sales tax refunds of the industry.

Members from various associations spoke over the terrible state of affairs. Those who had closed down their units stated that they have advised their grandsons to never think of setting up industry in the country

Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana said that “I fully understand your problems and would join you to get them resolved from the federal government,” He was addressing the textile millers during his visit to the Aptma Punjab Office. Representatives from Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Power Loom Owners Association and Pakistan Sweater Exporters Association were also present on the occasion.

He also assured the textile millers of taking up the Punjab textile industry issues with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. He termed it a tragedy for the textile mills in Punjab confronting issues from cotton to value added exports. He said the trust deficit between industry and policymakers indicated an alarming situation. He objected on the fact that some of the departments were also misusing their authority while dealing with industry while mentioning about the issue of sales tax refund.

Referring to the damage caused to the cotton belt area in the hands of sugar industry, he said, no industry should flourish at the cost of another.

The governor said the textile industry should be allowed to import cotton from all sources including Afghanistan to meet prevailing shortage. He said Aptma has been agitating for their demands over the four years and time has come to make textile industry competitive in the region by removing disparities in the energy cost. He said that “A prosperous textile industry will result into political benefits with the rise in jobs.” He said Aptma has been agitating for their demands over the four years and time has come to make textile industry competitive in the region by removing disparities in the energy cost. He added that “A prosperous textile industry will result into political benefits with the rise in jobs.”

Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana has express concern over the rising number of closed textile mills in Punjab and stressed for congenial environment so that number of new mills would increase.Aptma Punjab Chairman Ali Pervaiz also spoke on the occasion.

Aptma leader Gohar Ejaz said a lack of trust between the policymakers and industry has hampered growth in industrial sector and pointed out that the government has not fulfilled its commitment towards the release of Rs180 billion package. He added, that the industrial capacity worth $4 billion has been closed down in Punjab. He said that,” Only two months of the present government are left and the textile industry is still awaiting for the solution of its issues,”Aptma Faisalabad members joined the meeting through video link.