APTMA and PCGA Join Hands to Strengthen Cotton Crop Assessment, Quality and Market Transparency

Today, a high-level delegation of the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), led by Chairman PCGA, Mr. Sham Lal Manglani, along with Ch. Waheed Arshad, Former Chairman PCGA, and Mr. Sohail Haral, Former Chairman PCGA, met with Chairman APTMA, Mr. Kamran Arshad, at APTMA House, Lahore.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. M. Ali of Rasham Textile, Mr. Raza Baqir, Secretary General APTMA, and Dr. Muhammad Javed, Cotton Advisor APTMA.

The discussions focused on developing an effective implementation plan for the Cotton Sales and Purchase Contract recently finalized jointly by APTMA and PCGA. This landmark initiative aims to promote greater transparency, discipline, quality-based trading and confidence throughout Pakistan’s cotton value chain.

Chairman APTMA, Mr. Kamran Arshad, proposed two important joint initiatives:

PCGA–APTMA Joint Cotton Crop Survey:
APTMA and PCGA will combine their institutional networks, field resources, crop visits and cotton arrival data to develop independent and credible crop production estimates. The initiative will provide the textile and ginning industries with a clearer and more timely assessment of crop size, particularly in view of the serious challenges created by the absence of reliable and consistent official crop data.

PCGA–APTMA “Select Ginner” Programme:
The programme will be launched during the current cotton season to identify, recognize and reward leading ginners producing high-quality, contamination-free and industry-compliant cotton. It will encourage improved ginning practices, better handling, quality preservation and stronger linkages between ginners and textile mills.

The PCGA delegation appreciated the leadership and commitment of Chairman APTMA, Mr. Kamran Arshad, towards the revival of Pakistan’s cotton economy.

Mr. Sham Lal Manglani reaffirmed PCGA’s full cooperation in implementing the Cotton Sales and Purchase Contract and strengthening coordination between ginners and the textile industry.

Ch. Waheed Arshad emphasized that reliable crop assessment and quality-based cotton trading are essential for restoring confidence across the cotton value chain.

Mr. Sohail Haral expressed strong support for the proposed “Select Ginner” Programme and highlighted the importance of recognizing ginners who consistently produce superior-quality cotton.

Both associations agreed that the revival of cotton requires coordinated action, credible crop information, transparent trading mechanisms and a strong national focus on improving cotton quality from the farm to the textile mill.

This partnership between APTMA and PCGA represents an important step towards building a more competitive, transparent and sustainable cotton industry in Pakistan.