KARACHI: The lint trading at market remained selective on grade issue while buyers with liquidity fortified their inventories amid firm physical prices, fibre traders said. Buying for second grade of lint from old crop stocks also changed hands on premium price during trading session in Punjab and Sindh stations, floor traders said. Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) kept spot rate at Rs 6,750 per maund to support ginners withholding raw grades to capitalise on their proceeds above baseline prices, traders said/ Brokers said physical prices were also moving firm as deals were matured above Rs 6,775 per maund for better and second grade lint. “The shrinking stocks and delayed sowing and picking of cotton in some parts of lint growing areas in Punjab and Sindh has resulted the rise in the lint prices”, a senior KCA trader and fibre analyst, Shakeel Ahmad said. He said refusal of Indian traders to materialize orders of Pakistan lint imports in time has also been a major cause in raising the domestic prices. Ahmad said however intending growers in Sindh started sowing fresh crop in some cultivation areas and demanded supply of certified cottonseed and regular release of irrigation water into the canals.