By SKM
January 28, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal government on Wednesday reassured Pakistan’s textile industry of its continued support as exporters face mounting pressures from rising input costs and intensifying global competition. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met with a delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) at the Finance Division, promising policy support and active engagement to sustain the sector’s growth.
The Ministers emphasized that textiles remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing significantly to exports, employment, and industrial activity. They underscored the Government’s commitment to maintaining a predictable, transparent, and business-friendly policy environment, while pursuing structural reforms in consultation with industry stakeholders.
Senator Aurangzeb acknowledged challenges raised by APTMA, including energy costs, regulatory compliance, and operational constraints, and said the Government is actively reviewing options to improve industrial competitiveness without compromising fiscal sustainability. He highlighted that immediate operational issues are being prioritized, while broader reforms will be pursued through established budgetary and policy mechanisms.
The APTMA delegation, led by Chairman Kamran Arshad, called for consistent policies, timely resolution of operational hurdles, and long-term engagement to enable exporters to plan and invest with confidence. Rising energy tariffs, taxation pressures, and compliance costs were cited as key factors affecting competitiveness in international markets.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and coordination with relevant authorities to ensure smooth industrial operations and strengthen Pakistan’s textile sector, which remains a critical pillar of the national economy.
Earlier, the APTMA delegation briefed the Ministers on the prevailing situation of the textile sector and highlighted the pressures being faced by exporters in an increasingly competitive global environment. The delegation noted that changing international market dynamics and rising input costs have created challenges for the sector and underscored the need for a supportive and stable operating framework to sustain export growth and employment.
The delegation also drew attention to issues related to energy costs, regulatory compliance and taxation, noting that cumulative cost pressures affect competitiveness in export markets. The need for consistency in policies, timely resolution of operational issues and continued dialogue with the Government was emphasized to enable the industry to plan and invest with confidence.
The APTMA delegation comprised Mr. Kamran Arshad, Chairman; Mr. Asad Shafi, Chairman North Zone; Mr. Muhammad Jamil Qassim, Senior Vice Chairman; Mr. Shahzad Ahmed Sheikh, Vice Chairman; Mr. Siddique Javed Bhatti, Vice Chairman; Mr. Aamir Fayyaz Sheikh, Former Chairman; Mr. Rahim Nasir, Former Chairman; Mr. Khurram Inam, Senior Member; Mr. Raza Baqir, Secretary General; Mr. Asim Riaz, Energy Advisor; and Mr. Syed Absar Ali, Senior Economist. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Power Division and senior officials of the Finance and Revenue Division. Ends
