FAISALABAD: An important meeting was held at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) with Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Industries and Production. The meeting was attended by Mian Farrukh Iqbal, Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), North Zone; Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, Central Chairman PHMA; and Kashif Zia, Former Chairman PHMA. The participants held detailed discussions on increasing textile exports, rising industrial costs, and the challenges faced by exporters.
Mian Farrukh Iqbal, Chairman PHMA North Zone, emphasized that Pakistani diplomatic missions and commercial counsellors abroad can play a vital role in promoting the country’s exports. He noted that the government allocates substantial resources to these missions and should therefore make effective use of their services to introduce Pakistani products to international markets.
He stated that commercial counsellors can facilitate direct engagement between Pakistani exporters and foreign buyers, identify new markets, and generate business opportunities. However, exporters sometimes face difficulties in establishing contact and receiving timely responses, with certain matters taking up to three months. He stressed that improving response times and facilitating access to international buyers would significantly enhance the effectiveness of these missions.
Mian Farrukh Iqbal urged the government to take practical measures to improve the performance of commercial counsellors, strengthen their engagement with exporters, and promote Pakistani products internationally. He further highlighted that rising production costs and intensifying global competition are placing considerable pressure on the industry. He emphasized that government support and a proactive role by commercial counsellors are essential to increasing exports. He also called for a business friendly environment that enables exporters to sustain operations, expand investment, and access new international markets. He stressed that effective coordination between the government and industry could help address these challenges and strengthen Pakistan’s export performance.
Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, Central Chairman PHMA, highlighted the significant increase in industrial input costs over the past four years. He stated that electricity prices had increased by approximately 70 percent, while gas prices had risen by around 100 percent. During the same period, costs associated with minimum wages, social security, and the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) had also increased by approximately 48 percent. In contrast, the US dollar exchange rate had declined from around PKR 315 to approximately PKR 277, adversely affecting exporters’ rupee earnings and their competitiveness in international markets.
He further pointed out that the value added textile sector has not been provided the Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) facility for the past several years. He called upon the government to provide DLTL support to the textile sector at a rate of 6 percent to 8 percent to promote exports and help Pakistani exporters maintain their competitiveness in global markets.
Kashif Zia, Former Chairman PHMA, highlighted an important development concerning export logistics for Inditex, one of the world’s leading retail groups. He explained that export cargo destined for Inditex currently travels from Lahore and Karachi to Europe through Doha and Dubai via Qatar Airways and Emirates, respectively, before being transported onward by road.
He stated that, during discussions with Inditex, a request was made to introduce direct cargo freighter flights from Lahore and Karachi to Europe. In this regard, the relevant airports have undergone audits to assess compliance with the European Union’s applicable minimum standards and requirements.
Kashif Zia appreciated the efforts of Rana Ehsan Afzal of the Ministry of Commerce, who worked extensively to maintain coordination with Inditex and keep the Ministry informed throughout the process. He also acknowledged the important contribution of Mudassar Raza Siddiqui, Director General Textiles, in advancing this initiative.
He informed the meeting that the audit process had been completed, although the results were still awaited. Expressing optimism that the outcome would be favourable for Pakistan, he explained that a positive assessment could enable Inditex’s cargo to be transported directly from Lahore and Karachi to Europe. This would reduce transit time, improve logistical efficiency, and facilitate Pakistani exports. He described the initiative as a significant development for Pakistan’s export sector.
Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Industries and Production, appreciated the concerns and proposals presented by the participants. He assured the delegation that further meetings with the relevant authorities would be arranged soon to examine exporters’ issues in detail and identify practical measures for resolving their concerns and promoting Pakistan’s exports.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026