LAHORE: Newly elected office-bearers of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) urged all the members of the association to remain united to resolve the issues of the industry, especially regarding implementation of the government’s decision on the regionally competitive gas and electricity tariff at the rate of US $6.5 (per MMBTU) and 7.5 cents per unit for the five zero-rated sectors, including textile.

“We should remain united across the country as a cohesive whole. We will focus on revival of the industry by doubling exports to $28bn in five years, subject to the provision of enabling environment by the government,” Syed Ali Ahsan, who was elected unopposed as central chairman of Aptma, said while speaking to the members in the first meeting of the association’s executive committee. He urged the government to engage industry associations to achieve national economic targets.

According to a notification, issued by Aptma, the announcement of election results was earlier withheld due to the order of the Peshawar High Court in writ petition on Sept 19. Now the court has dismissed the petition on the basis of jurisdictional maintainability.

Besides Syed Ali Ahsan, Naveed Gulzar and Asif Inam were also elected as central vice chairmen.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018