Cotton Crisis: Senate Committee Pushes for Payment Recovery

APP

Lahore: The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has taken a firm stance against defaulters of imported cotton payments, warning of legal action against those failing to clear outstanding dues of nearly Rs 1 billion.

Presiding over the meeting at the Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation, Committee Chairman Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan emphasized that a consensus had been reached to pursue strict legal measures to recover payments.

Discussions also revolved around ensuring the timely use of cotton bales at the local level and resolving an additional Rs 2 billion in pending dues.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, also present at the meeting, assured that the government is actively addressing industrial challenges by improving governance and eliminating corruption to streamline departmental operations.

He highlighted new initiatives to boost cotton production, including the establishment of a seed regulatory body to enhance crop quality and yield.

The meeting, attended by representatives of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), saw a bold move by the chairman, who demanded that APTMA formally agree to allow legal action against defaulters failing to clear payments.

This development signals a tougher stance by the government on financial accountability within the textile sector, as authorities push to stabilize the cotton industry and ensure fair trade practices.