All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Patron-in-Chief Dr Gohar Ejaz has expressed concern over the decline in textile exports, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

In a letter written to Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday, he apprised the minister that the textile exports had decreased by 4 percent from July to October. “Bangladesh's exports have increased by 16 percent during the same period,” he added. 

 APTMA Patron-in-Chief said the government should take emergency measures to increase exports as textile industries are closing down in the country. 

Gohar Ejaz further observed in the letter that gas has not been supplied to the export sector in general and particular in Punjab province where textile industries are bound to purchase expensive gas and electricity. 

Dr Gohar asserted that the government is providing $9 per MMBTU gas to the textile industry in Punjab while LNG price for Sindh industry is only $3.7 per MMBTU. 

“Tax refunds of Rs 250 billion of textile industry are yet pending,” he revealed in the letter.  

He further lamented that letters of credit (LCs) for textile industry machinery and raw materials have not been opened while owners of textile industries are bound to open LCs at expensive rates. 

“Banks should be directed to provide US dollars to the textile mills owners for the purchase of raw materials and cotton,” APTMA patron-in-chief said adding that these should be instructed to provide TUF funds to textile mills. 

He informed the minister that Pakistan State Bank had not issued instructions to banks to increase LTTF limit of the textile exporters. 

“Textile industry machinery worth billions of rupees is stuck at the port and the customs officials are not waiving the fines imposed on machinery,” Gohar Ejaz added. 

The date for submission of claims for duty drawbacks should be extended, he concluded. 

Reporter: Waqas Azim