TOBA TEK SINGH: Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) Chairman Mian Farrukh Iqbal has urged the government to address structural and policy-related issues confronting exporters instead of holding them responsible for declining competitiveness.

He called for a 10-year long-term export policy with continuity, competitive energy tariffs, affordable financing, timely sales tax refunds, rational taxation and uninterrupted utilities for export-oriented industries.

Mr Iqbal said Pakistani exporters competed in highly competitive international markets where prices were largely determined by foreign buyers and exporters could not pass rising production costs on to international customers.

He also expressed concern over disruptions in transportation and logistics, saying strikes and interruptions in cargo movement cause vessel shut-outs, rolled-over bookings, detention, demurrage, storage and higher freight costs. He urged the government to ensure uninterrupted movement of export cargo from factories to ports.

The PHMA chairman said export incentives should be viewed as measures to maintain international competitiveness, as competing countries were providing their industries with comparatively competitive energy, financing and trade-support facilities. He urged the government to engage directly with genuine export-oriented associations and formulate policies in consultation with stakeholders.

“Pakistan needs more exports, more investment and greater value addition. This can only be achieved by making our industries competitive and ensuring long-term policy stability,” he added.

CONVICTION: Toba Tek Singh Additional District and Sessions Judge Jam Muhammad Sajjad handed down the death sentence along with a fine of Rs1 million to an honour killing convict.

According to the prosecution, convict Allah Waris had axed his wife Mumtaz Bibi to death for honour on Nov 15, 2025, in Chak 188 GB of Rajana as he believed she had relations with a man of her village.

SUSPENDED: The Nankana district health authority (DHA) CEO suspended five DHQ Hospital employees under the Peeda Act over negligence in maintaining cleanliness at the hospital.

The officials included Supervisor Basharat Ali and ward cleaners Habibullah, Muhammad Saeed, Sajjad Ali and Harrison Maseeh. DHA sources said that during a surprise visit of the hospital, Chief Minister’s Special Assistant Muhammad Shoaib Mirza found wards of the hospital to be filthy and the action was taken on his recommendation.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026