Government reviews cost pressures on exporters as APTMA flags rising challenges

The federal government has begun reviewing key cost-of-doing-business issues affecting export-oriented industries, with a particular focus on the textile sector, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Wednesday during a meeting with the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

According to a statement issued by the Finance Division, Aurangzeb told the delegation that the government was actively examining factors undermining the competitiveness of exporters, including energy costs and operational constraints. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik was also present at the meeting.

The ministers reiterated that the textile sector remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, given its substantial contribution to exports, employment, and overall industrial activity. They stressed the government’s commitment to maintaining a fair, transparent, and predictable policy environment, with an emphasis on equity and broad-based participation across the economy.

Aurangzeb noted that energy affordability and reliability continued to be among the government’s key priorities. He said various options were being explored in consultation with relevant ministries and stakeholders to enhance industrial efficiency and competitiveness, while safeguarding fiscal discipline and the long-term sustainability of the energy system.

The finance minister added that immediate concerns raised by industry were being reviewed on a priority basis, while broader policy issues would be addressed through established budgetary and reform processes. He said energy sector reforms were being pursued in a balanced manner to support industrial productivity and protect national economic interests.

Operational bottlenecks and supply-side challenges in certain industrial areas also came under discussion. The ministers assured the APTMA delegation that coordination with concerned authorities would continue to ensure uninterrupted industrial activity, underscoring the need for sustained and constructive engagement between the government and the private sector amid shifting domestic and global economic conditions.

Earlier, the APTMA delegation briefed the ministers on the current state of the textile industry, pointing to intensifying global competition, rising input costs, and changing international market dynamics. The delegation highlighted concerns related to energy pricing, regulatory compliance, and taxation, noting that cumulative cost pressures were eroding competitiveness in export markets and posing risks to export growth and employment.