Textile exporters have urged the government to announce a comprehensive relief package, citing uncompetitive energy prices, high taxes and elevated financing costs that are undermining Pakistan’s ability to compete in global markets.
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A large delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) met Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad on Wednesday, calling for immediate measures to reduce industrial energy tariffs, rationalise taxes and bring interest rates down to single digits.
A delegation of senior APTMA members, led by Chairman Kamran Arshad, met the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue and the Federal Minister for Petroleum, along with senior officials from the Power Division, FBR and Ministry of Commerce to discuss key challenges facing the… pic.twitter.com/jhBs6DMkSC
— All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (@APTMAofficial) January 29, 2026
The exporters stressed that despite the government’s narrative of improving macroeconomic stability, rising input costs and financial pressures were squeezing export-oriented industries. They demanded the removal of the Rs4–7 per unit cross-subsidy component from industrial electricity tariffs, withdrawal of the Rs3.23 per unit debt servicing surcharge and abolition of peak-hour energy rates in favour of a flat tariff.
Other key demands included the abolition of advance tax on exports, faster and fully automated processing of sales tax refunds, removal of the super tax and allocation of Rs30 billion from the export development fund to support exporters. The delegation also called for an immediate reduction in the policy rate to 9 per cent, with a gradual cut to 6 per cent, and restoration of the concessionary export refinance scheme.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb acknowledged the textile sector’s central role in Pakistan’s economy, given its contribution to exports, employment and industrial output. While noting constraints arising from the IMF programme, he reiterated the government’s resolve to support the sector’s sustainability within the broader reform framework.
An official statement said the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a predictable and transparent policy environment for businesses. The government team assured exporters that energy affordability and reliability remained priorities and that options to improve competitiveness were being examined in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
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The exporters highlighted increasing pressure from global competition and rising production costs, urging the government to provide broad-based fiscal space to sustain export growth and protect jobs.