ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The senate standing committee on textile industry on Thursday constituted a sub-committee to probe the alleged non-observance of transparency and quality in the manufacturing of tents for the quake victims. The sub-committee, headed by senator Pari Gul Agha, would look into the matter and prepare a report in this regard. Other members of the sub committee include Asif Jatoi, Mohammad Azam Khan Swati and Dr Abdullah Riar.

After a meeting of the senate body, an official announcement said here on Friday that the sub-committee would check the specifications and protocol adopted for the manufacturing of tents.

The standing committee chairman Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan underlined the need for chalking out vibrant and outstanding textile policy to give boost to the textile industry and enable it to face challenges of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Syed Masood Alam Rizvi, secretary ministry of textile industry, informed the committee that inputs on textile policy have been received from stakeholders and liaison with federal and provincial government departments was underway for identification of possible sources where from technical expertise could be obtained to train the trainers.

He said that the textile policy would cater for all aspects of value addition including improvement in growing, ginning, spinning, weavings, dying, finishing processes and garment production etc.

Mr Rizvi said the ministry of textile industry was implementing e-government strategy in collaboration with e- government directorate and a five years plan has been approved to computerise the whole data.

The members of the committee were of the view that textile industry was the backbone of the economy of our country and efforts should be geared up to strengthen its contacts with foreign chambers of commerce and industries to market their products.

The committee also deliberated on the point of order raised by senator Dr Abdullah Riar. It also directed the ministry of textile industry to submit a detailed report on the distribution of tents in the quake affected areas and steps taken by the textile industry to face challenges of the TWO.

The committee also assured its support to the textile industry in formulation of a viable policy and overcome its shortcomings to put it on the track towards progress.