Chairman, Karachi Cotton Association, Iqbal Umer, has showed concern regarding planned reduction in water supply for standing cotton crop due to shortage of water for coming wheat crop.
Chairman KCA was of the view that cotton being the only cash crop in Pakistan which account for over 66 percent of foreign exchange earnings should not be allowed to destroy at this stage when its harvesting is to start shortly.
He pointed out that almost all the inputs required for a bumper cotton crop had been utilised by the farmers as a result of which, and also on account of good weather and subsoil conditions the crop is flourishing for ideal harvesting.
Iqbal Umer urged the Ministry of Agriculture not to succumb to the pressure of irrigation department and agree to the closure of canals at this stage as it would adversely effect the most flourishing crop.
Due to the closure of canals at this juncture, he observed, it is apprehended that fairly large cotton crop is likely to be destroyed that will result in heavy loss of foreign exchange and seriously impair Pakistan's presence in the international market.