KARACHI: The All Pakis­tan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) on Friday urged the government to withdraw 3 per cent regulatory duty, 2pc additional customs duty and 5pc sales tax on import of raw cotton.

In a statement, Chairman Aptma Dr Amanulla Kassim Machiyara said that with high upfront costs, the textile industry would not be able to fulfill its export commitments.

He further said that latest figures issued by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) strongly indicate that the current season’s (2019-20) cotton crop would be short.

The Aptma chief said that already cotton prices in domestic market are higher than import substitution and if this trend persists the textile industry will be rendered uncompetitive which will directly impact country’s exports.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2019