ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: The commerce ministry has allowed import of 0.5 million bales of short staple cotton from India to meet the growing local demand of the textile and clothing sector.

A notification SRO 73 of 2008 was issued on Wednesday after amending the Import Policy Order 2007 to allow the import of cotton via land route through Wagah border.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro has asked the stakeholders of the textile sector to get together and prepare proposals for improving the production and the quality of cotton to meet the exact needs of the textile industry.

He said this while talking to a seven-member delegation of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) led by its acting chairman M. S. Tariq Saud at the Prime Minister secretariat.

An official announcement issued here said that the PM told the delegation that the improvement in the quality and quantity of cotton yield will strengthen the competitiveness of the local industry and facilitate the export of textile products.

Mr Soomro asked the concerned organisations to focus on areas and regions, which can give optimum yield of cotton so that better crop could be procured. Simultaneously, he said the textile industry had to be made more efficient to make it cost-effective and profitable since it was a valuable asset of the country.

He emphasised the need to incorporate more innovation techniques as well as carryout research to enable the industry to grab a better share in the global textile market. He expressed confidence that the government initiative of clean cotton project to develop the indigenous cotton processing industry in line with the internationally acceptable standards would bear fruit.

He asked all the concerned ministries and organisations to prepare a long-term comprehensive plan to help all the industries, including the textile industry, in meeting their energy needs both for present as well as for future expansion and modernisation.

He asked the ministry of petroleum and natural resources as well as the ministry of water and power to give preference to the textile industry in meeting their energy needs as soon as there is availability of gas and electricity.

The delegation apprised the prime minister of the problems being faced by the industry and asked for their early resolution.