Page 18 - October-November-2018

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Cotton production estimated at 10.874

million bales in the current sowing season

Cotton production throughout the current cotton crop the crop production was expected to be 2.600 mn
season is probably going to remain 10.874 mn bales bales due to water stress which is a reduction of
as against the set targets of 14.37 mn bales which 5-20pc in the Sindh cotton production yield. The
shows a decrease of 22 pc. cotton production in Balochistan was estimated at
0.150 mn bales and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was
According to the Cotton Commissioner in the Ministry estimated to produce 0.020 mn bales.
of National Food Security and Research, Dr Khalid
Abdullah, the low output is attributed to the drastic However, he said that it was an initial estimates and
climate changes, acute water shortage and the figures of output may improve in second and third
prolonging weather patterns throughout the crop estimation as the weather was dry and pest attack
sowing season in the province Sindh. He further was not reported so far.
added that the cotton crop within the Sindh region The pest attack including cotton mealybugs, pink ball
remained under the water stress due to below worm also reduced and it was reported at 23 percent
average rainfalls in the crop growing areas of the as compared the 27 percent of same period of
Sindh province which was going to supplement the last year.
overall output in the second and final estimation.
Overall the cotton cultivated was more than 2.31 mn
In Punjab, the cotton crop production was expected hectares in the Punjab province, registering 11pc
to be 8.077 mn bales as compared to Sindh where growth and in Sindh it was reduced by 31pc.

Mr Khurram Mukhtar, the new

PTEA Chairman demands a viable

textile policy

For the second time Mr Khurram Mukhtar has been Manufacturers Federation in Switzerland.
elected unopposed as the chairman of Pakistan Additionally, he also has a glorious trade record of
Textile Exporters Association (PTEA). Mr Rizwan serving in social sector.
Ehsan from Rizwan Enterprises has been elected
unopposed as Senior Vice Chairman and Mr Mr Khurram Mukhtar, the new PTEA Chief
Muhammad Idrees of Afino Textile Mills (pvt) Ltd as commented, “Presently the textile industry is facing
the Vice Chairman for the two year term of 2018-19. many challenges in almost all segments particularly
Other officals have also been elected unopposed. high utilities cost, trade deficit as well as additional
levies and other impediments directly affecting the
New PTEA Chief Mr Khurram Mukhtar hails from a cost of doing business. It has hampered exports of
noted, distinguished and prosperous business the country. Textile sector will have to deliver to steer
family. He’s an active member of famous business the country out of economic troubles. For this, we
network referred to as M/s Sadaqat Ltd. need the cooperation of not only the entire sector
but also of value-added associations.”
He is additionally serving as chairman of FESCO
Board of directors, Director of Faisalabad Garment He appealed to the Govt. to draw a viable policy on
City Company (FGCC), member of core Committee textile as this sector has the potential to wipe out
of Young Entrepreneur Organization of Pakistan the whole trade deficit, provided that the factors
(YEOP) and member of International Textile impeding its growth are removed.

October/November 2018