MULTAN, Dec 18th: Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has warned that tax-free import of cotton from India through Wahga border would destabilise the economy in Pakistan and it would have serious repercussions on next year crop and agricultural economy. It strongly opposed the duty-free import of cotton from India or any other country describing it destructive to Pakistani cotton economy. Addressing a press conference here on Monday PCGA's Chairman Haji Muhammad Akram, Ex Chairman Shehzad Ali Khan ,Vice Chairman Mian Javed Tariq and Talat Mehmood Haral said that 1.623 million bales of cotton are lying at ginneries as unsold stock and Textile miller are reluctant to purchase this stock.They said that there was no justification for lifting an 'undeclared' ban on imports of ginned cotton from India or any other country at the cost of local grower, 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 ban on the imports from India on hold through Wahga and Karachi port.They strongly opposed any relaxation in cotton import. "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.Haji Muhammad Akram Chairman of PCGA urged the government to impose complete ban on cotton imports from India via Wagah Border, as it was detrimental to the interest of cotton growers of the country."The PCGA leaders strongly feel that imports of cotton lint from India via Wagah is detrimental to the interests of the cotton growers and should be immediately stopped." He expressed concern that if the imports of cotton lint continued, it would affect the cotton production in the country during next season, adding that last year cotton production declined 30 percent, so if appropriate measures are not taken, the position would deteriorate and affect the production.He said that the ginneries had sufficient stock of cotton lint available so there was no justification to import the commodity from India. The growers said the government did not fix the support price for cotton, leaving them at the mercy of textile millers, who would procure domestic cotton at their desired rates. The growers said that they were expecting a bumper crop this year and import from India would destroy the local cotton growers. The PCGA leaders expressed concern on the import of cotton from India at this stage when the country has unsold stock of 2 million bales and more than 0.7 million bales are expected during next month.
