The Governor of Punjab province has promised to help the textile exporters to cut down their production cost in respect of exportable items, by ensuring uninterrupted power and gas supply, clearance of duty drawback claims and sales tax refunds and arranging for concessionary export finance.

Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA) has expressed concern over granting of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. PCGA Chairman Amanullah Qureshi has said the grant of MFN status to India might prove detrimental to the interest of the cotton cultivators and ginners in Pakistan and stated that the Parliament should not pass this decision of the Cabinet as it would destroy the Pakistani industry.

Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), Mohsin Aziz has expressed disappointment over the abnormal surge of more than 24% in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), from Rs 494 billion to Rs 629 billion in a period of one year. He was commenting on the State Bank report about (NPLs). Chairman Aptma said higher interest rates and shortage of utilities supply, particularly gas, to the industry are two major reasons behind the phenomenon.

The government is likely to revise upward the projected cotton production figures from 12.22 million bales to 13 million bales for the current season 2011-12. The Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) has summoned all stakeholders to review the cotton production figures during the current season. The CCAC had recently projected cotton production at 12.22 million bales.

The textile industry is panicked over rumours of gas disruption for 90 days during winter season. The Federal government is considering the option of suspending gas supply to the textile industry to keep CNG and fertiliser industry running during the winter. It may be noted that the contract signed for industrial connection stipulates supply suspension for 90 days during winter.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Textile Industry has invited suggestions and comments from various stakeholders on a draft 'Textile Industry (Development, Promotion and Standards) Act 2011'. According to the Ministry, the Act is aimed at development, promotion, regulation and setting of standards for textile industry in Pakistan to achieve sustainable growth, employment generation, increased productivity and value-addition throughout the textile chain.

Chairman Standing Committee on Textile Industry, Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari, has said that there was a need of adopting rational approach for protecting the textile industry of the country. He said that it is very unfortunate that textile industry was suffering adversely due to non-availability of gas and electricity load shedding and the impact of this electricity and sui gas load shedding will be negative on industry.

Crisis of cotton has deepened in Pakistan because there is no buyer of cotton in the country. Now ginning factories have turned into warehouses and godowns where 2.0 million bales are lying in unsold stock, Government should come forward for the help of growers as well as ginners to save them from losses, said Amanullah Qureshi Chairman of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association while presiding over a meeting of Central Executive Committee of PCGA. He urged upon the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari to implement the bailout package for the ginners of Sindh who were badly affected in recent flood.

Aptma chairman Gauhar Ejaz had negotiated the gas issue with President Zardari and Minister for Petroleum Asim Hussain and consequently the gas load shedding in Punjab was reduced to 3 days from 4 days but at the same time the SNGPL authorities reduced the pressure from the main supply. He alleged that the government had taken this decision to create further hurdles for the industrialists.

Aftab Ahmed, Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA), said that distribution of gas should be across the board, and added that the government has given a 'lollypop' to the industrialists and exporters, and announced that in case the government did not make equitable distribution of gas, they would start civil disobedience in consultation with the trade and industry.