Cotton sector faces complete paralysis

Dawn reported on October 22 that cotton ginners in Sindh are considering a nationwide stoppage after FBR teams carried out surprise inspections and seized records in Sanghar, Tando Adam and Shahdadpur. Some factories have already suspended work, while Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association Chairman Sohail Mehmood Harral said operators could close remaining facilities if the actions under RTO Hyderabad continue.

Industry representatives say factory locks were forced open and records taken without advance legal notices. The dispute adds to pressure from high power costs, rising production expenses and sales tax of 18 to 22 per cent. More than 100 ginning units stopped operating in 2025-26, taking the reported total of closed facilities above 500 ginning units, nearly 700 oil mills and 175 textile mills; the association has asked officials to use formal notices and dialogue instead of raids.