Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, spearheaded a historic agreement aimed at resolving Pakistan’s cotton cess issue and revitalizing the country’s cotton industry. The landmark accord was signed between the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), and the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), laying a clear path forward to strengthen cotton as the pivotal crop in Pakistan’s textile economy.
The signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s Islamabad headquarters represents a key milestone in the government’s broader initiative to restore cotton’s strategic significance within the national textile value chain. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain played a central role in reaching this agreement, showing strong commitment to improving governance, fostering public-private partnerships, and driving long-term agricultural sustainability.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Minister Hussain described the resolution of the longstanding cotton cess issue as a significant breakthrough. He reaffirmed cotton’s critical role as the backbone of Pakistan’s textile exports and an essential source of rural employment. He emphasized the importance of strategic interventions including modern research methodologies, seed reforms, enhanced agricultural inputs, and stronger regulation of specific institutions associated with cotton production.
Minister Hussain further outlined the decisive steps already taken by his Ministry to boost cotton research, improve seed importation mechanisms, and foster stakeholder cooperation. He highlighted the government’s vision to transform the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) into a forward-looking, research-oriented institution focused on innovation and enhanced cotton productivity.
Demonstrating his continuous support for collaboration, Minister Hussain announced plans to visit the APTMA House in Lahore, aiming to deepen engagement with textile industry leaders and agricultural stakeholders. He underscored the importance of regular dialogue and aligned policies to achieve sustainable benefits for all contributors involved in cotton production and textile manufacturing.
Concluding his speech, Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain framed the revival of Pakistan’s cotton sector as not merely an agricultural priority, but a critical national economic objective. He assured stakeholders of his unwavering commitment to comprehensive reforms designed to elevate Pakistan once again as a leading global producer and exporter of high-quality cotton.
