Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday vowed to revitalize Pakistan’s cotton industry, acknowledging the sector’s billion-dollar export potential and ensured to address challenges such as high taxation and electricity costs.
In this regard, the minister held a meeting with the Pakistan Ginners Association led by its Chairman DR Jassu Mal, said a news release.
The minister stressed that the government is treating this issue with urgency, particularly given the $3-4 billion spent annually on cotton imports, which could be saved by reviving domestic production.
Proposing a series of seminars and workshops, Jam Kamal expressed the government’s commitment to collaborate with industry stakeholders, including APTMA and exporters, to formulate a comprehensive action plan.
He also encouraged the Association to submit proposals for funding through the Export Development Fund (EDF) to help reinvigorate the sector and boost exports.
The minister also highlighted the alarming decline in the number of ginning companies from 1,200 to just 400, leading to under-utilization of electricity resources and disruptions in the cotton supply chain.
He emphasized that cotton is not merely a commodity but a livelihood, with millions of people in Pakistan depending on its growth, harvesting, and processing. He acknowledged the heavy taxation across the cotton production cycle—from pesticides to ginning and oil extraction—that has made it difficult for cotton to compete with other crops.—APP
