IMRAN ALI KUNDI ISLAMABAD - Pakistan would seek Indian relaxation in quantitative restrictions on its (Indian) cotton export across the boarder in reciprocation to the concession Islamabad has given in exporting onion to India. The government of Pakistan has decided to take the issue of quantitative restrictions on cotton export imposed by the Indian government with India. Islamabad would ask New Delhi to allow such cotton bales for which, Pakistani importers had already made contracts, as done by Pakistan in the onions case. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has assured the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association that the government would take the issue of quantitative restrictions at the highest level and all attempts will be made to resolve the issue. He further said that efforts would be made to convince India to honour the contractual sanctity as we have done in the case of onion exports to India. We have briefed the Foreign Minister on the issue relating to restriction imposed by the Indian government on its cotton export and he has assured us that he will take this issue with India at highest level, said, Gohar Ejaz, Chairman APTMA, while talking to TheNation. He further said that Pakistan made contracts of import of one million cotton bales with India, however, later, when cotton prices enhanced in the international market, the Indian government imposed quantitative restriction. Due to this restriction, Gohar said, Pakistani textile industry is facing huge financial losses. Earlier, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association in a meeting with Textile Minister Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, demanded of the government to withdraw the six percent import duty on polyester fiber (PSF), as millers are suffering due to it. The Federal Minister for Textile Industry chaired a meeting that was attended by a delegation from APTMA and representatives from PSF (polyester fiber) industry. On the issue of the imposition of 6 percent import duty on PSF, APTMA chairman Gohar Ejaz demanded to withdraw the said duty, as it was hurting the concept of free trade regime and the millers were suffering due to it. On the other hand, representatives from domestic polyester industry said that the said duty was introduced in order to protect the domestic industry. Ejaz Gohar proposed the formation of a committee comprising two members from both sides under the chairmanship of Textile Minister in order to resolve the issue to which representatives from PSF industry requested that they should be given some time to consult the matter with other stakeholders. APTMA agreed to it. The meeting also discussed the problem of energy shortage. The minister said, The govt is trying its utmost to resolve it and in this regard, various initiatives and projects have been launched to overcome the problem e.g. ECC (Economic Coordination Committee)of the cabinet other day allowed the WAPDA to raise Rs.20 billion for the Diamer-Bhasha dam. Likewise, other energy projects are being pursued on emergency basis.