The closure of bleaching, dying and printing units has become imminent after the closure of sizing units in Faisalabad, said Sheikh Khalid Habib, Regional Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA). Commenting over the prevailing situation, he said that the closure of sizing units effecting the entire "Textile Chain" and if the govt failed to take corrective measures the attached units would also start closing automatically and this situation will not only deprive government of much needed revenue but also render millions of workers jobless.
Continuing he said that the sizing owners are on strike for the last few days against what he alleged black laws like 38-a and 40-b of Sales Tax Act. He said that this closure has given a two-way affect. The down ward industry including power looms have started closing as there is no arrangement to process the grey cloth. As regards upwards the Printing, Dying and Bleaching industry is not getting the sufficient cloth to continue their units. He said that this will affect the national exports and will deprive Pakistan of much needed foreign exchange.
Khalid Habib further said that the textile processing sector was already staggering due to the shortage of gas and electricity coupled with their high price. Above all the undue steps taken by the different govt departments will fully ruin the manufacturing sector.
He said that the industrialists and businessmen are patriotic Pakistanis and they had supported government in hot and cold weather but now it has become difficult for them to continue their business in the prevailing circumstances. He warned the govt to immediately review the situation and take necessary remedial steps to dispel the genuine reservations of the protesting sectors.