Textile exporters reject ‘Golden Spoon’ remark...

Summary

• Former PHMA chairman Abdul Hameed said export growth depends heavily on the cost of doing business.
• Exporters said delayed refunds continue to tie up working capital needed for raw materials, salaries, machinery and business expansion.
• The exporters said Pakistan should measure the sector through export growth, productivity, investment, employment, market expansion and foreign-exchange earnings rather than generalised criticism.

AI Generated Summary

LAHORE: Value-added textile exporters have rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks about export-oriented industries, saying Pakistan’s textile sector continues to generate substantial foreign exchange despite rising production costs and intense competition in global markets.

Textile exports increased 5.55% to $3.379 billion during July-August 2026, while readymade garment exports rose 13.59% to $827 million. For the full fiscal year 2025-26, textile exports reached $17.932 billion, showing only 0.26% annual growth, while readymade garment exports climbed 3.87% to $4.288 billion.

Exporters said the government should distinguish between policy support and the actual cost of running export-oriented factories. They stressed that the industry does not seek charity or protection but needs competitive electricity and gas tariffs, affordable financing, timely refunds, predictable taxation and a stable business environment.