Pakistan’s textile exports reached their highest growth levels of $17.67 billion in July-May financial year (FY) 2021-22. As per a report by the All Pakistan Mills Association (APTMA), exports grew 28.5 per cent Y-o-Y over $13.76 billion recorded in the same period last year. The industry grew to $20 billion during the year compared to $15.4 billion in June 2021, says the report. Textile exports grew 59 per cent Y-o-Y from $1.06 billion in May 2021 to $1.69 billion in May 2022, show figures from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

On a month-on-month (M-o-M) basis, Pakistan’s textile exports declined by 3 per cent to $1.69 billion as compared to exports of $1.74 billion in the previous month. Despite the tremendous growth achieved by the sector, it had to face shutdown of 25 per cent of the required volumes of gas/RLNG supply in May 2022. The government’s decision to halt the supply of gas/RLNG to exporters was considered highly illogical as it is a critical input to textiles, the single largest contributor to Pakistan’s exports and the mainstay of Pakistan’s economic future.

APTMA has urged the government to restore gas supply to the export industry and recognize the immense loss and damage to Pakistan’s economic this will cause in future. Loss in production will lead to export reduction and drop in forex. Due to poor quality grid electricity and non-supply of gas/RLNG, mills are operating at less than 75 per cent capacity, which if continued will incur a loss of $250-400 million in exports each month.