Hybrid cotton seed: Govt's decision to allow import welcomed
LAHORE: Stakeholders across the cotton industry — from seed providers and farmers to ginners and textile manufacturers — on Friday welcomed the government's decision to allow the import of hybrid cotton seed. They hailed the move as a step in the right direction, expressing hope that it would not only revive the country's 'white gold' but also help reinvigorate the national economy.
Representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association, All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA), Cotton Ginners Association, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad and others addressing a joint press conference said that the removal of restrictions will ensure a stable and enhanced supply of raw materials for our industry, enabling textile manufacturers to operate at optimum capacity and compete effectively in global markets.
Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) founder Chairman and father of hybrid rice in Pakistan, Shahzad Ali Malik speaking on this occasion said Pakistan had its bumper cotton crop in 2014 which was around 14 million bales but since then due to various factors it had dropped to around 5 million bases impact our ginning and textile industry, the backbone of our economy.
He hailed that the ban on import of cotton germplasm had been lifted after 50 years courtesy efforts initiated by him and backed by FPCCI, APTMA and other stakeholders. He said it is a silver lining that we may soon get our cotton crop revived. He also welcomed that the meeting discussed and approved lifting ban on March 07, 2025 and only in two months a SRO had been issued in this regard. He said it shows seriousness of the government in reviving cotton.
'Upward production of rice and maize made possible by the local and foreign companies through introduction of hybrid seeds and that was why we are able to cross $US4 billion exports of rice,' he added.
FPCCI Zonal Chairman Zain Iftikhar Chaudhry welcoming the government decision said that we were seeing bad cotton crop performance due to substandard seed, inefficiencies in pest management and climate change. He said recent decision of the government had opened a new door towards getting better yield and improved quality of lint.
APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad said this decision has come at a time when the cotton sector-central to Pakistan's textile based economy-has been facing multi-facets challenges resulting in sharp decline in domestic cotton production and closure of a number of ginning factories.
He disclosed that the textile sector had to import cotton worth US$4 to $5 billion this year but this trend was not sustainable. By allowing access to high performance cotton seed, the incumbent government has laid the foundation for reversing this decline.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Lyari Expressway-I
Modernizing payment systems could address commuter concerns while improving revenue efficiency. The Lyari Expressway toll structure has undergone significant adjustments in recent months, with rates increasing from Rs 30 to Rs 70 — representing a 133 percent rise over an eight-month period. While the National Highway Authority (NHA) cites infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs as justification for these increases, the implementation reveals a fundamental disconnect between modern transportation management practices and ground realities faced by Karachi's business community and daily commuters. The economic cost of inefficiency: the current manual toll collection system presents a compelling case study in operational inefficiency. During peak business hours - particularly morning office start times and evening shift changes - thousands of commuters experience delays ranging from 15 to 30 minutes solely for toll payment processing. This translates to significant economic losses across multiple sectors. For Karachi's business ecosystem, these delays represent more than mere inconvenience. Late arrivals affect productivity, increase fuel consumption during idle periods, and create cascading delays throughout supply chains. When port city operations depend on timely movement of goods and personnel, every minute lost in toll queues has measurable economic impact. The financial implications extend beyond individual businesses. Transportation costs ultimately factor into product pricing, affecting competitiveness in both domestic and export markets. In an economy where efficiency gains can provide crucial advantages, maintaining antiquated toll collection methods represents a missed opportunity for systemic improvement. Farooq Mustafa Chaudhry (Karachi) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business Recorder
FBL honoured for championing disability-inclusive banking
KARACHI: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan's leading Islamic banks, has been recognised for its commitment to inclusion and accessibility at the Pakistan PWDs Finclusion Awards 2025. The Bank received the award for 'Most Disability-Friendly Branch Network' and was also named Runner-Up for 'Excellence in Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).' The awards ceremony, held in Karachi, was organised by Determined Pakistan and was inspired by the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) Policy on Financial Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. These awards reflect Faysal Bank's steadfast commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and its purpose-driven approach to banking. Commenting on the recognition, Yousaf Hussain, President & CEO of Faysal Bank, stated: 'At Faysal Bank, we believe that meaningful growth is only possible when it is inclusive, accessible and rooted in compassion. Our vision is to build a banking system that reflects the diversity of our nation and leaves no one behind. These recognitions reaffirm our commitment to embedding equity into our service, our spaces, and our culture.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business Recorder
CCP holds workshop on Competition Law
ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), in collaboration with the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) and the Directorate of Legal Education, organized a workshop on Competition Law to enhance legal professionals' understanding of market regulation and fair competition. The session was led by Ahmed Nawaz Saeed, Member CCP, along with senior officials of the Commission. It provided an opportunity for legal practitioners to engage directly with CCP representatives and deepen their knowledge of the key principles and enforcement mechanisms under Pakistan's Competition Law. Comprehensive presentations were delivered by Ahmed Qadir and Noman Laiq, Directors General at CCP; Salman Zafar, Senior Director; and Marryum Pervaiz, Director Merger and Accusations. The speakers covered core areas of Competition Law, including prohibited agreements, abuse of dominant position, deceptive marketing practices, mergers and acquisitions, and the criteria for granting exemptions under the law. Participants showed keen interest throughout the session, which concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, fostering constructive dialogue on regulatory challenges and enforcement issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
