Removal of agricultural scientists from PCCC to destroy textile-based economy: PBF

LAHORE: The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has termed the government’s plan to remove a significant number of agricultural scientists from the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) a serious blow to textile-based economy of the country.

Expressing serious concern over the decision to dismiss PCCC agricultural scientists and staffers, the PBF said it would prove disastrous for the country’s agricultural research, textile industry and national economy.

Chairman PBF Sohail Talat said at a time when cotton restoration was direly needed, the removal of agricultural scientists will destroy the research and development system and as a result the country’s agriculture will further suffer.

Talat said if the decision to dismiss the agricultural scientists was not withdrawn, it would make all the claims of the country’s agriculture and textile industry restoration meaningless, because without cotton development, the survival of the textile sector would not be possible.

President PBF Khawaja Mehboob-ur-Rehman said that at the March 11 meeting of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, 50 per cent of PCCC’s agricultural experts and staffers were asked to relieve jobs before April 30 deadline. “This decision appears to be part of a deep conspiracy, which aims to weaken the country’s agricultural research and damage the domestic economy.”

Chief Organiser PBF Chaudhry Ahmad Jawad said the PCCC had been playing a key role in cotton research, modern seeds development, and production of silver fibre in the country. He warned that if the institution was paralysed, the country’s $16-17 billion annual textile exports may be severely affected in the next few years, which will be a major blow to the economy.

The PBF has demanded from the government to withdraw this decision immediately, strengthen agricultural research institutions, and ensure immediate release of funds for the PCCC.

It warned that if the decision was not withdrawn, it will result in irreparable loss to the country in terms of agricultural and industrial development.