Pakistani textile manufacturers urged the government to withdraw three percent import duty on cotton to arrest the decline in the size of domestic cotton. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), ChairmanTariq Saud, Chairman said that the removal of duty was essential so as to make raw material available to the industry at competitive prices.

Aptma Chairman also clarified that the concerns of the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) and the Cotton Association of India with regard to the export of cotton were misplaced. In view of the failure of the cotton crop, the textile industry has imported over three million bales, and a significant portion has come from India.

He urged the government to immediately order the release of cotton which has entered Pakistani territory. He reiterated that thousands of bales were stuck at the Wagah border, for which the mills have made payments. However, the government need to make some move to settle this issue.

Aptma believes in free trade and underlined the importance of keeping this regime intact and free from all interferences as it was expected that Pakistan would continue to meet its requirements from import of cotton.