Pakistan: New textile policy draft being forwarded to NEC

Consultations with all the stakeholders for the new textile policy have been completed and a draft policy will soon be sent to the National Economic Committee (NEC) for approval.

This was told during a seminar titled “Emerging Trends in Pakistan Fashion Industry” organised by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society at the Pearl Continental Hotel here on Monday.

Addressing the seminar, Federal Textile Minister Rana Farooq Saeed Khan said the country had formally demanded access to the European and the American markets. Talking about prevalent energy crisis in the industry, he said the government was managing load rather than opting for loadshedding for the industry.

Textile Industry Secretary Waqar Masood said there was a need to create awareness about the fashion industry and added that the budget proposals would help boost output of textile industry.

Talking about gems and jewels sector, Pakistan Fashion Design Council Chairman Owais Mazhar said that in China, India and Thailand, facilities were being provided to designers as well as workers.

Parliamentary Secretary Raheela Baloch urged women to join the fashion industry, adding that there were a few women working in the industry. She said textile industry had created new trends in fashion, adding that such steps would help boost exports.

University of Management and Technology Textile Department head Dr Nabeel Amin said such entrepreneurs, who excelled in their fields owing to their diligence, should be supported and encouraged by the government, besides providing them more subsidies so that they continued making progress in their respective fields.

Fashion Designer Alia Agha said the growth of fashion industry would generate more jobs in the country, besides boosting economy. She urged different segments to join hands for promotion of fashion industry in the country.