KARACHI, Jan 14: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has criticized the statement of Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association with regard to the size of cotton crop as well as demand for TCP’s intervention.

In a statement the Aptma chairman Anjum Saleem said that the PCGA’s claim that there is no crop in the fields and the crop size will be limited to Dec 31, 2002 arrival figures is totally unfounded and without any basis.

He said that such statements are only being issued to distort the market mechanism and create doubts in the minds of all stakeholders.

Anjum Saleem said this fact could also be confirmed by PCGA’s stand not to release cotton figures for the fortnight ending Dec 15, 2002, on the pretext that Aptma had not paid its annual contribution towards the cost of cotton data collection.

He said Aptma had paid the required payment and in spite of the fact that PCGA had collected the figures but were withheld only because their release did not suit the business position of ginners.

He urged the PCGA to refrain from making irresponsible, false and misleading statements and let the market forces prevail. It is in the national interest that all segments of the cotton trade should remain profitable and viable for the progress of the country and its exports.