Textile makers demand removal of cotton import duty

KARACHI: Textile manufacturers have reiterated the demand to arrest the decline in the size of domestic cotton and urged the government to withdraw three percent import duty on cotton.

In a statement issued Monday, Tariq Saud, Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), said the removal of duty was imperative so that raw material was available to the industry at competitive prices.

Aptma Chairman also clarified that the apprehensions 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.

Saud reiterated that thousands of bales were stuck at the Wagah border, for which the mills have made payments. However, the government was not moving to settle this issue, he said.

He urged the government to immediately order the release of cotton which has entered Pakistani territory. Aptma believes in free trade and the Chairman 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.