Exporters reject blame for structural failures

The All Pakistan Exporters Associations Forum has rejected claims that exporters have underperformed despite years of state support, according to Business Recorder. Speaking through a statement, the forum argued that high production costs and weak competitiveness, not product quality, lie at the root of Pakistan's export difficulties. It called for steady long-term industrial and trade policies.

Chief Coordinator Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said exporters are willing to work with the government on raising shipments, provided it tackles production costs, ease of doing business and a level playing field. He wants exports handled purely as a federal matter under a policy framework that stays stable for at least 10 years. In a statement replying to the Prime Minister's comments made at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Bilwani called exports an asset and rejected blaming exporters for structural issues that lie mostly outside their influence.

The forum said exporters face severe liquidity pressure, pointing to delayed sales tax refunds, Super Tax, plus surcharges on late payments. It also cited deductions from bank accounts that it alleged the FBR made in the name of recovery, along with a nine-day nationwide transporters' strike that reportedly pushed sea freight rates sharply higher. Bilwani suggested an Emergency Cell inside the Prime Minister's Office to respond quickly to abrupt disruptions such as transporter walkouts.