Former Minister Seeks Govt Intervention to Secure Textile Export Orders Worth $5 Billion

Former Caretaker Federal Minister Gohar Ejaz Thursday said Pakistan can get apparel and garment orders worth around $5 billion from Western clothing brands in the next two weeks. The window of opportunity is only two weeks, otherwise, the orders will be placed in India, Vietnam, or Cambodia, the former minister said. “I believe $5 billion worth of apparel and garment orders from Western clothing brands can shift from Bangladesh to Pakistan. The window of opportunity is only 2 weeks; otherwise, the orders will be placed in India, Vietnam, or Cambodia”, Ejaz said in a post on X. He further stated that the local industry is not viable at energy prices of 16 cents and with the current taxation rules for the export supply chain. He said the way forward for the government is to; (1) decrease energy prices to 9 cents, and (2) allow the domestic supply chain for exports under SRO 1125 immediately. These steps will enable the textile industry to grab these orders, which can create 5 million jobs and add $5 billion in export earnings for the country.