GUJRANWALA, Nov 6: The woolen hosiery markets in the city are facing a crisis-like situation owing to smuggling from China while more than 75 per cent business has come to a standstill.

This was stated by woolen hosiery markets association president Naeem A Sheikh at a press conference here on Monday.

He said about 300 hosiery shops were being run in Thathrianwala Bazaar and other parts of the city where manufacturers were supplying their quality products for sale. But the woolen hosiery market was facing extreme sluggishness as traders were selling smuggled items from China on less prices.

He said a majority of the manufacturers and skilled labour had left the business owing to financial loss.

He demanded of the government to check smuggling of hosiery from China and other countries.

He also demanded that the government should reduce tariff to promote the woolen hosiery sector.