Export orders for lint start pouring in

Federal and Punjab authorities discuss measures to ensure that cotton growers get the support price as the country secures the first white lint export orders for the new crop. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting on Tuesday to deliberate on measures to ensure that growers receive the fixed support price of Rs8,500 per maund for their crop. The meeting was attended by chairman FBR, group leader of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Gohar Ejaz, Fuad Mukhtar, Anwar Ghani, and senior officials from the finance ministry. Details of the meeting were not shared with the media. The CM had earlier in the day advised the cotton growers not to undersell their crop and emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring the sale of cotton at a minimum rate of Rs8,500 per maund. He said the farmers would receive full value for their produce and directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to enforce this rate in their respective areas.