ISLAMABAD: A meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Textile Industry here on Friday recommended that the seed cotton (phutti) may be procured by Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) instead of lint cotton growers to secure the cotton growers’ interests.
The meeting of the Committee was held here at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Khawaja Ghulam Rasool Koreja, MNA, for detailed discussion on fixation of cotton price, considering the cost of production.
Moreover, it also suggested that the grade wise/quality wise cotton availability mechanism may be adopted for better and efficient cotton marketing purpose.
The Secretary, Ministry of Textile Industry apprised the Committee that Pakistan has a significant position in global cotton supply.
He said the textile sector contributes over 55 percent of total exports and provides 40 percent of total industrial jobs opportunities.
Pakistan, he said, was not giving any subsidy on cotton so the cotton growers have to compete with the prices of subsidized cotton.
According to WTO, the import and export of any item cannot be stopped but it can be discouraged through imposition of tariff.
The Committee recommended that the seed cotton (phutti) may be procured by TCP instead of lint cotton growers.
Moreover, the Committee also suggested that the grade wise/quality wise cotton availability mechanism may be adopted for better and efficient cotton marketing purpose.
The Committee after having thorough deliberation could not finalize the cotton price. Therefore, a Sub-Committee has been constituted for the fixation of cotton price which will submit its reports to the Committee shortly.
The meeting was attended by Sardar Muhammad Shafqat Hayat Khan, Malik Muhammad Uzair Khan, Mian Shahid Hussain Khan Bhatti, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla, and Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, MNAs, senior Officers from Ministry of Textile Industry and other departments.
