Pakistan’s textile exports have moved down by 12.11 per cent. Despite being the largest forex earning sector this year, exports declined to $8363 billion. Although the country is reaping the benefits of GSP, it has shown bleak performance in the export sector and the Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) has expressed deep concern and termed it unacceptable.

The decline is being attributed to the shortage of electricity and delays in disbursement of export refund claims. Despite achieving preferential market access to the European Union, exports have been declining for the last two years. The country is facing tough challenges in the international market. Many have urged the government to take over the textile industry since many textile owners are winding up businesses and moving to other countries. The government should provide safe environment for the industry to thrive and guarantee better incentives and friendly policies.

ICST has urged the government to take immediate steps to arrest the trend as rival countries are snatching Pakistan's share in the international market which will have a negative impact on the economy. The government should make plans to provide affordable energy to Punjab's value added sector which rely on the supply of LNG, says Shahid Rasheed Butt, Patron of ICST. He says Punjab's textile sector is already buying costly LNG while the value added sector in Sindh gets uninterrupted supply of natural gas throughout the year.