MULTAN, Nov 28th: Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has strongly opposed the import of raw cotton through Torkham and Wahga borders terming it against the law and detrimental to local cotton growers’ as well as national interests. Since our forex reserves are shrinking rapidly and we are unable to repay foreign loans,why are we allowing the import of cotton when 4 million bales are available in country on reasonable price. Addressing a hurriedly call press conference PCGA Vice Chairman Mehr Muhammad Ashraf, Former Chairmen Haji Muhammad Akram, Shehzad Ali Khan, Talat Suhail, Aasim Saeed Sheikh, Khawaja Riaz Hussain Siddiqui and Khalid Bashir said that “At least 200 trucks carrying 50,000 tons of cotton are waiting at Torkham borders for a green signal from the Plant Protection Department (DPP) and National Food Security & Research Ministry without laboratory test of Phytosanitary,” They said that Federal Government has allowed to enter these trucks into Pakistan's territory in haphazard without taking the other stake holders into confidence .They said that granting permission to cotton import through Torkham or Wahga border is unlawful and cotton can be imported through seaport only.They suggested that Government should impose regulatory duty plus sales tax on the imported cotton to save the local market. They feared that granting of permission to import would not only depress local cotton prices to the disadvantage of growers but might also hurt the indigenous crop because the country had no fumigation facilities at borders to make the import pest free. Quoting the law that governs import of cotton,PCGA leaders said the import was also illegal for raw cotton could only be imported with prior permission of the DPP and taking phyto-sanitary measures complying with sub Rule 3 of Rule 28 of Plant Protection Quarantine Act 1967.The rule also disallows cotton import other than Karachi sea port, where quarantine and fumigation facilities were available. They said that 19,47,544 bales are lying unsold in ginneries while another 2 million bales are to be received from the field .In the presence of 4 million bales at home,it is unwise decision to allow the import of cotton from neighbouring countries. They said that Textile mills should have to import cotton in June or july when domestic stock would not be available.They have imported cotton worth billions of rupees at this juncture when forex reserves are shrinking and Government was running after international financial institutions for debt. They alleged that textile millers were pressurizing the DPP to set aside the Quarantine Act and issue cotton consignment release orders to Customs authorities.
