Pakistan’s textile ministry headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan has recommended the lifting of a ban on the import of cotton from India to bridge the raw material shortfall the country’s textile sector was facing.
The Ministry of Textile Industry has sought permission from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet to lift the ban on import of cotton and cotton yarn from India, the Dawn News reported, quoting official sources.Q1 `
Prime Minister Khan, as in-charge of the Commerce and Textile Ministry, has already approved the summary to be placed before the ECC, the report said.
The low yield of cotton bales in Pakistan has created problems, paving the way for import from India.
The government’s decision to consider lifting the ban from India came as a big relief for the value-added textile sector, which seeks access to cheap raw materials.
Currently, cotton and yarn imports are allowed from all countries except India.
Pakistan suspended trade ties with India after New Delhi revoked the spectextileial status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcating it into two Union territories in August, 2019.
In May 2020, Pakistan lifted the ban on import of medicines and raw material from India to ensure there is no shortage of essential drugs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was the first step of reversing the complete suspension of trade with India.
