Pakistan will temporarily stop permitting duty-free cotton imports until its locally produced crop is completely sold, said Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan, the national food security and research minister. He also said that cotton crop and its research institutes should come under his ministry to achieve the annual target of producing 20 million bales of cotton.

The government of the country is working towards safeguarding the interests of the farmers who are facing problems and growing cotton in a small area, Bosan said at a meeting of the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

He made it clear that the government is not banning duty-free cotton imports, but stopping it temporarily until the local stock is disposed off.

Cotton growers in Pakistan have been suffering losses since last year. However, cotton farmers have profited from cotton sales in the current season and the area under cultivation for cotton is likely to increase in the coming season, according to Bosan. (KD)