Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that "we should adopt modern technology to achieve the target of 20 million bales of cotton".
Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), headed by chairman Masood A Majeed, in Circuit House, Multan on Sunday, he said: "If we managed to achieve this target, then we would be able to earn maximum foreign exchange, and there would be no need of foreign loans and begging loans from the IMF, the World bank, and other monetary institutions."
The Prime Minister also issued instructions to concerned authorities for establishment of 'Ginning Research Institute' in Multan, and assured the delegation members that it would be completed soon.
Prime Minister assured them to allot a plot to PCGA for construction of its office in Islamabad and to resolve their problems. The Prime Minister listened to the grievances of the ginners patiently and issued orders on the spot. He agreed to inaugurate the building of Rahimyarkhan Chamber during his visit to the city on February 12, on the request of former chairman of PCGA Muhammad Ibrahim. The delegation members expressed reservation on the issuance of licences for the establishment of sugar mills in cotton zone, describing it detrimental to the country's economy.
They said that Pakistan needs foreign exchange, not sugar, "and we should bring maximum area under cotton crop to achieve the objective of 20 million bales of cotton".
The delegation comprised on Masood Majeed, Shehzad Ali Khan Vice Chairman(North), Rashid Mehmood vice chairman (South) Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Ibrahim ex-Chairmen of PCGA, Amanullah Qureshi, Mukhtar Ahmed Khan, Hafeez Anwar, Muhammad Ilyas, Khalid Hanif Lodhi and Sadar-uddin.