KARACHI, March 6: The Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) has expressed serious concern over the non-approval of funds by the ministry of commerce for smooth running of National Institute of Leather Technology (NILT), located in Korangi.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, PTA chairman S. M. Naseem said that despite the fact that a proper presentation was made at the recently held board meeting of the Export Development Fund (EDF) in Islamabad the requisite funds were not sanctioned.

He further said that in the previous EDF board meeting a sum of Rs4 million was approved by the commerce minister, but the same was disallowed in the March 1 meeting.

He regretted that the institute was established for skill development and upgradation of leather industry with financial collaboration of the EPB (now TDAP) but unfortunately the amount principally agreed upon was not sanctioned.