A new textile policy for a five-year period is being framed incorporating the measures for resolving the prevailing textile crisis but also comprehensive and advanced schemes for all textile sectors from cotton growing to value-added exports. This was disclosed by the Federal Minister for Textile Industry Rana Farooq Saeed Khan while addressing a seminar on "National Strategy for Textile Industry: issues and recommendations" at Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Auditorium.

He said that the government was fully aware of the problems and importance of the textile industry and government realised that textile sector was the biggest source of foreign exchange earning and also a major source of employment in the country.

He expressed the hope that after completion of the consultation process, a comprehensive textile policy would be finalised on priority basis wherein the interests of all textile sectors would be protected. PTEA Chairman Muhammad Yousaf demanded reduction in rate of bank mark-up, uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas to industry, reduction in cost of production, market access to developed countries, zero-rating of exports and level playing field as compared with other competing countries.