Aptma slams delay in exports package implementation

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has expressed concern over delay in the implementation of Rs180 billion export package announced by the prime minister, a statement said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Aptma chairman Amir Fayyaz said that the package was announced after detailed deliberations and the prime minister had assured that the package would be implemented in letter and spirit.

The package of Rs180 billion, spreading over 18 months, means refunds of Rs10 billion per month. The government has so far defaulted on promised payments of Rs30 billion, he added. The Aptma chairman said power tariff in Pakistan are 30 percent higher than paid by competing exporters in the region. The energy crisis is impacting Punjab industry, as its gas rates are almost 100 percent higher than those paid by the industries in other provinces, Fayyaz said.

This has made the textile industry uncompetitive, he said, adding that 33 percent capacities of the industry are lying idle.

Former Aptma chairman Gohar Ejaz said Punjab industry is bearing additional burden of Rs100 billion annually because of the gas price differential as compared to the industries in other provinces.

The energy rates should be uniform across the country just like power and petroleum products, he added. Textile sector is the largest employer in the country and its 33 percent closure has wiped out millions of jobs, he said, adding that Punjab, in fact, is in the process of deindustrialisation because of energy prices.