LAHORE: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has announced to observe ‘black day’ throughout the country for the resolution of all issues hitting the viability of the industry.
Aptma Punjab Chairman Aamir Fayyaz, in a statement, said the general body of the association had unanimously decided to observe the black day by closing down their mills. After listing down the issues in a press conference at the Aptma Punjab office, he demanded withdrawal of four percent customs duty, five percent sales tax on import of cotton, and removal of duties and taxes on MMF import, not being manufactured domestically.
Furthermore, he said the electricity tariff determined by Nepra for 2015-16 should be notified without additions like surcharges/innovative taxes. Electricity tariff should not be higher than Rs8/KWh in any case, he added.
“All ambiguities relating to SRO 491(i) 2016 dated 30 June for no tax/ no refund regime should be addressed and the government should also ensure liquidation of all pending refunds by August 31 to improve liquidity positions of the exporting firms.”
He said 15 percent regulatory duty on imports of all sorts of synthetic yarns entering domestic commerce should also be removed. He said the government should also allocate Rs100 billion on an annual basis under the LTFF to encourage new investment initiatives, and also allow indirect exports under LTFF scheme as this would help increase local supply of basic textiles.
