Describing it destructive to Pakistani economy, the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has strongly opposed duty-free import of cotton from India. PCGA's senior vice chairman Suhail Mehmood Haral, chairman of Ginners Group, Haji Muhammad Akram and former chairman Shehzad Ali Khan said textile millers are reluctant to purchase the stock of more than 2 million bales of cotton that are lying at ginneries as unsold stock.
They said there was no justification for lifting an undeclared ban on imports of ginned cotton from India at the cost of local growers, fibre's imports on future incoming shipments via surface or sea is not in the interest of our economy .They stressed the need for continuation of the ban on the imports from India on hold through the Wagah border and Karachi port.
On the other hand, farmers have also expressed concern over lifting of ban on the import of cotton from India by the government. The growers fear bleak prospects for domestic cotton after the lifting of ban on cotton import and demanded the government ensure procurement of crop from them on reasonable rates. On his part, Haji Muhammad Akram chairman of Ginners group urged the government to impose complete ban on cotton imports from India via the Wagah Border as it was detrimental to the interest of cotton growers of the country.
