Textile exporters urge policy reversal to avoid sector collapse

Textile exporters have urged the federal government to reverse policy measures in the upcoming budget that are disrupting supply chains critical to sustaining over $9 billion in value-added exports. In a joint letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manu­facturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) requested an urgent meeting to resolve ongoing tariff-related barriers and restrictive policies that, they claim, are choking the supply chain. A copy of the letter, seen by Dawn, outlines four key areas requiring immediate attention in the next fiscal year’s budget. The associations pointed out that recent changes to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) had negatively impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They called for the restoration of the original scheme to ensure stability, international competitiveness and compliance with buyer needs.