January 10, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 19, 1427

LAHORE, Jan 9: Spinners on Tuesday called upon the government to allow import of cotton from India via Wagha to meet the gap of three million bales between demand and supply.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, an Aptma spokesman took strong exception to Agricultural Development Commissioner Dr Qadir Bux Baloch’s statement regarding import of cotton from India through Wagah.

“Pakistan’s farmers have already delivered over 80 per cent of the current cotton crop. It would, therefore, be unfair and unjust if the industry is denied import of cotton from India through Wagha, which would save it money as well as time.

Arrangements for fumigation and quarantine facilities can be made and provided to clear imports of all agriculture commodities, including cotton at Wagha,” the spokesman said.

He said the statement (made by Dr Baloch) on behalf of MINFAL was contrary to the free import/export policy announced by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He said: “APTMA in its meeting with the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock had put forward the concerns of the industry regarding growing gap between supply and demand of cotton available to the mills, and exhorted the government to allow import from all sources, including India via Wagha, at competitive prices. Import of cotton from India where cotton surplus is available, would help the industry import cotton at competitive prices.”