He said the textile industry would have been in a better position if floods had not hit the cotton growing areas of the country.

He was talking to media here at office of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) on Monday. APTMA Chairman Gohar Ejaz was also present on the occasion.

The minister said that Pakistan had the potential to meet the textile export target.

He said that the issue of gas shortage was seven year old one. The government was taking immediate steps to overcome power and gas crises.

"The Neelam Jhelum Project has been started and the Diamir Bhasha Dam will also be started in a few months, for which land has been acquired", he added.

The minister said that no work on the power sector had been undertaken by former governments, which made the circumstances serious.