APTMA Demands Safeguards From Indian Textiles

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APTMA Demands Safeguards From Indian Textiles

Tariq Saud, Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has demanded of putting the import of cotton and synthetic-based Indian textile goods, including all types of yarns, fabric and garments, on the negative list. This was said by the chairman in an in-house meeting of the association. He has voiced concerns over the situation, saying that the unchecked onslaught of imported and smuggled textile goods has created a crisis situation within the textile industry. Chairman APTMA further confirmed that domestic commerce has become hostage to the Indian goods, which has triggered joblessness and mill closure in Pakistan. He confirmed that with the beginning of the summer production season, which requires immediate action on the surge in dumping of Indian textile goods in Pakistan. He pointed out that India was providing safeguards to its to textile industry and creating hurdles in the way of level playing field by having introduced Pakistan specific duties, reaching to the highest range of 100 percent.

Goods from Pakistan are therefore being subjected to discriminatory treatment. For trade with India, the government should not deny a level playing field to the textile industry of Pakistan. Meanwhile, APTMA Punjab Chairman Aamir Fayyaz has said that India has waged an economic war against Pakistan by hurting its textile industry. He said the time has come that the economic managers of the country should consider the situation seriously and take the appropriate steps immediately to save the textile industry, which is the mainstay of Pakistan economy.