MULTAN,Oct Ist: Dr Jassu Mal took over charge of the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) as its new chairman with a commitment to protect ginners' interests and contribute to promoting contamination-free cotton. Addressing the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) here on Wednesday which was 297th meeting of the executive committee. Dr Jassu Mal said our exported products were our identity in foreign countries. "We all should rise above our interests to earn a good name for the country," he emphasised the need for raising awareness among major stakeholders of the cotton industry. In addition to the general awareness of cotton production, technical training of farmers and workers was also required, he said. He added that cotton was still harvested by hand in Pakistan, which increased contamination and hence led to low-quality grading.Jassu Mal also mentioned that despite having the best canal system in the world, it was still underutilized in Pakistan.He said he had taken an oath to protect interests of PCGA members and his efforts would continue in this direction. He said 1,200 members of the PCGA were not only providing jobs to many people but also keeping the wheel of the textile sector in motion. He urged the ginners to adapt to the changing scenario in the world and modern business practices to promote the ginning sector. The outgoing chairman, Nawab Shahzad Ali Khan, congratulated Dr Jassu Mal on winning the election. He highlighted the need for an industrial upgrade for the overall strengthening of the cotton sector. He added that all major stakeholders should come together to address challenges for the revival of the cotton industry. Outgoing Chairman Muhammad Javed Suhail Rehmani presented his achievements in spite of pandemic COVID-19 and lockdown and said that we managed to get relief for the community in taxation from the Government and It is a very appreciable success.He narrated his year-long efforts and said we do not believe in hollow slogans and we do work practically. Khalid Hanif Lodhi stressed the need for unity,discipline, and commitment and said that we should protect our interests like flour millers who forced the Government and administration to knee down. Talat Suhail of the United group announced to disband his faction till next election. He said that there were no differences among the dinners and we wholeheartedly accepted the election result. Former Chairman Mian Mehmood Ahmed pointed out a number of anomalies and stressed the need for tolerance, acceptance and open heartedness. The meeting was attended by Senior Vice Chairman Malik Tufail Ahmed, Vice Chairman Chander Lal, Ex-Senior Vice-Chairman Haresh Kumar, Ex-VC Hafiz Abdul Latif , Group Chairman Haji Muhammad Akram, Former Chairmen, Shehzad Ali Khan, Amanullah Qureshi,HAji Muhammad Ibrahim, Ch.Masud A Majid,Suhail Mehmood Haral, Mukhtar Ahmed Baloch, Hafeez Anwar,Ex-Vice Chairmen Rao Sadaruddin, Mahesh Kumar, Ashiq Ali Babar Rehmani, Ch.Waheed Arshad, Mian Javed Tariq,Dawood Karim ,Zaid Ali Khan and Muhammad Asif Khalil Secretary General.
