Textile Allied & General Industries must be opened in next immediate phase; Resuming of Industrial & Commercial activities will save millions of citizens from unemployment: Ch Salamat Ali
Karachi, May 08, 2020: Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) Central Chairman appreciated the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan for opening the lockdown in phases terming the decision important and in the right direction.
Salamat Ali articulated that it is the burning need of time to transform from complete lockdown to smart lockdown as our country cannot afford to bear prolonged lockdown due to unprecedented challenges.
This thoughtful and timely decision by the Prime Minister of Pakistan will save millions of citizens from unemployment as the business, commercial and industrial activities will resume after a period of almost 50 days.
He was of the view that the businessmen and industrialists are responsible persons and they will ensure to take out all necessary preventive safety measures as per SOP after resuming of business and industrial activities.
The Textile Export Industry has started operations after completion of procedural requirements and verification of export orders, nevertheless, the export production could not reach to required optimum level due to disruptive supply chain as their suppliers/ allied industries are still closed and inoperative.
PHMA Central Chairman appealed the Prime Minister of Pakistan to also allow and open allied industries and wholesalers in next immediate phase to provide textile export industry relevant materials and supplies enabling them to complete their export orders whereby allied industry has assured to fulfill all procedural requirement, compliance of SOPs, etc. Around 40 allied industries are associated with the textile export industry.
Salamat Ali stated that “by the Grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan has not witnessed the number of cases being predicted by the medical experts, foreign and local media. The countries worldwide have started opening businesses transforming from complete lockdown to smart lockdown.”
He further added that, “In Pakistan as well, we cannot afford to keep businesses closed for long time so the Federal Government must take lead to bring all provincial governments on one page and devise joint strategy to revive the industrial and commercial activities under smart lockdown taking necessary preventive measures, otherwise, the under privilege class will suffer less from COVID and more from hunger due to non-availability resource to run their households.”
He demanded to open all export and allied-industries including wholesalers and retailers by allocating at least 6 to 8 hours’ time daily for each sector. Salamat Ali requested the Federal and Provincial governments to accord highest priority to this matter of national and public interest and collaborate to take joint action for the revival of economy and to rescue the businesses from complete closure, safeguard billions of rupees investment in industrial sector and save millions of workers from unemployment.
