KARACHI: Reeling under the high cost of production, the value-added textile export industries of Karachi on Thursday threatened to close down their units and shift them abroad owing to discriminatory policies of the government.

At a joint press conference held at the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association House, Value-Added Textile Forum Chief Coordinator Jawed Bilwani and representatives of export-oriented sectors like hosiery, towels, knitwear, ready-made garments, sweaters, and cloth merchants said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ignored the industries of Karachi and has been holding meetings with the Spinners Association of Punjab.

They urged the premier to meet with the value-added textile associations in Karachi, failing which the exporters would be forced to close their factories and relocate abroad. They also demanded the allocation of 110mmcfd of gas from Ghotki to Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGCL), as the same quantum from Marri was allocated to the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL).

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2022