Lifting of US ban on bedlinen sought

Published November 13, 2002

KARACHI, Nov 12: Pakistan Cloth Merchants’ Association (PCMA) chairman Ahmed Chinoy has demanded immediate lifting of restrictions imposed by the US on imports of bedlinen (category 666) from Pakistan.

The PCMA chief said that it was a heartening to know that talks with US under secretary of state for economy and agriculture affairs, Alan Larson resulted in removal of quota restrictions on category 666, but it was denied by the US commerce department.

Ahmed Chinoy said that Pakistan has been active supporter of US in its war against terrorism but regretted that in return “we did not get much from the US, particularly, in textile sector.”

The least the US could have done was not to discriminate against Pakistan and let it enjoy the level of access to US market being enjoyed by other countries, he added.

He suggested that it is high time that US should makes a move and remove all such restrictions immediately in the larger interest of trade between two friendly countries.