LAHORE, Oct 7: Federal Minister for Textiles Makhdoom Shahabuddin has said that some of his ‘well-wishers’ were unhappy at his nomination for the slot of prime minister and implicated him in the ephedrine case.

“A departmental inquiry into the issuance of ephedrine quota had been under way for the last more than a year and I had ordered engaging the Anti-Narcotics Force in the investigation,” the minister told the media at the inauguration ceremony of Pakistan Hand-Knotted Carpet Exhibition at Johar Town Expo Centre on Sunday.

Denying any split within the party ranks, the minister said he was involved in the case two days before a formal announcement regarding his nomination for the post of prime minister by his `well-wishers.’

Earlier, the minister said at the inauguration ceremony that the law and order situation had improved. “People around the world think there is insurgency everywhere in Pakistan. However, Pakistan has less than one per cent insurgency in its total area. The government and its allies have been fighting against a mindset disturbing law and order but fighting extremism takes time,” he said.

The government had taken many business-friendly initiatives to attract foreign investment. Lucrative opportunities had also been offered to local investors.

“Pakistan has to make an extra effort in promoting exports by arranging trade fairs and exhibitions. A stable economy will help us overcome many challenges, particularly war against terrorism,” he said.

All-out support would be provided to carpet industry with a view to enhancing exports, he said and added that the carpet exhibition was a step in right direction to promote trade and economy.

Efforts were under way to convince the Chinese authorities to exempt the Pakistani handmade carpets from import duty, bringing it under zero-rated in China, he said and asked the Pakistani business community to take full advantage of the entry got in Chinese handmade carpet sector.

“Instead of looking towards United States and European Union, Pakistani exporters should now focus on China by aggressively exploring opportunities for joint ventures in various sectors, including hand-knotted carpets. The economy of Pakistan is growing at a fast pace and we are in need of trade and not aid to further stabilise it.”

In his address of welcome, Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) Chairman Shahid Rasheed Malik observed that country’s carpet exports to Europe and China had declined by more than 55 per cent. However, the loss could be compensated by increasing volume of exports to China, where the handmade product has been in great demand.

Mr Malik said the commerce and textile ministry besides the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) had also realised the importance of the fact.

Calling for special initiatives from the government, he demanded that carpet industry should be patronised to enable it to open warehouses and retail outlets in China and other countries.

PCMEA leaders Col (retired) Akhtar Nazir Cooki, Sheikh Khalid Shaeed and Mian Javedur Rehman also spoke at the ceremony.

Besides China, delegates from Germany, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, USA, the UK, Iran, Italy and Turkey have been part of the exhibition that would continue for public from 10am to 8pm till Oct 9 at the Johar Town Expo Centre.