Textile mills in Pakistan protests against unfavourable govt policies

In Pakistan, the textile spinning mills had shut down the production on Wednesday to protest against government anti-industry policies which increased the cost of doing business in Pakistan.

The recent hike in power tariff and gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) add around Rs 170 billion to the cost of doing business every year, said Tariq Saud, chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

He said that this strike was successful which also included leading groups in spinning sector, right from Karachi to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Some industry leaders said that the protest was also against the delayed announcement of the textile relief package by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The textile millers wore black bands to observe a Black Day, where they also displayed black banners, flags and buntings to protest.

Many textile workers marched in front of their mills; however, it was a peaceful protest across the country.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) announced that the garment units did not shut its operations on 14th October as Black day. All units of value added sector from Karachi to Pishawar remained open on Wednesday.