The Garments Sector of Pakistan shows utmost surprise being ignored and not invited in the meeting on 'Garments Manufacturing Units Project' under the chair of Federal Minister, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reforms at Islamabad on Wednesday. This was stated by Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Chief Co-ordinator, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association and Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum. Ministry's Industries & Commerce Section had issued office memorandum dated 15th January, 2018 and invited only three associations in which two are irrelevant.
He articulated that there are only four associations in garment sector which are Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), Pakistan Cotton Fashion Association (PCFA), Pakistan Knitwear Sweaters Exporters Association (PAKSEA) and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA). Among all PHMA holds the distinction as the largest association whose members contribute highest share in textile exports with more than 1000 members across the country had not been invited and ignored. No export association has more than 1000 members. He said that All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has only few composite units and deals in home textile. Similarly, Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) deals in home textile hence their relevance in garments project is not understood. Only Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) being invited in meeting represents garment sector."However, on Wednesday, we called the concerned department of Planning Commission also invite PHMA in the said meeting and arrange video conferencing to enable the PHMA and other garments Associations to participate in the important meeting but to no avail," Bilwani added.
Neglecting aforementioned garments associations will not bring meaningful results on said subject. The matter needs to be looked into at the level of Federal Minister as to why such project has been confined to three Associations creating discrimination? Bilwani demanded that Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms, Professor Ahsan Iqbal to convene a separate meeting of garments sector Associations comprising off PHMA, PAKSEA, PCFA and PRGMEA for consultation on Garments Manufacturing Units Project.-PR