The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association has officially intervened in a growing controversy regarding the future of the Central Cotton Research Institute in Multan, urging the Punjab government to abandon a reported plan to convert the facility’s land into a Gymkhana club. In a formal communication directed to the Chief Minister of Punjab, the association expressed deep alarm over the potential loss of a strategic agricultural asset. While the industry body acknowledged the provincial government’s broader efforts toward rural development and economic revival, it labeled the move to repurpose a premier research site for recreational use as a significant setback for a sector that is already struggling for survival.
According to industry leaders, the CCRI Multan stands as one of the most vital national institutions operating under the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee. The institute was established through a specific Act of Parliament and is primarily funded by the cotton cess, a dedicated levy contributed by the textile industry. The association emphasized that these funds are legally and ethically earmarked for research, innovation, seed improvement, and pest management. Utilizing land acquired or maintained through these contributions for non-agricultural or social club purposes is seen as a violation of the original mandate of the cotton cess and a diversion of resources away from critical scientific advancement.
The urgency of preserving research infrastructure is underscored by the alarming decline in Pakistans cotton output. Industry data shows that national cotton production has plummeted from a peak of nearly 14 million bales to a current level of approximately 5 million bales. This massive shortfall has created a ripple effect across the economy, forcing the country to spend billions of dollars on imports to meet the demand of the domestic textile sector. This reliance on foreign cotton has placed immense pressure on foreign exchange reserves and has directly impacted the livelihoods of millions of rural farmers who depend on the cotton crop for their sustenance.
The textile association warned that converting a strategic research facility into a recreational club would send a highly negative signal to both the agricultural community and international investors. At a time when the sector needs intensified scientific focus to combat climate change and evolving pest threats, reducing the physical footprint of research institutions is viewed as counterproductive. The association argued that the move would further weaken the already strained efforts to revitalize the cotton economy, which remains the backbone of Pakistans manufacturing exports and a key driver of industrial employment.
Furthermore, the industry referred to recent policy shifts at the federal level, specifically the decision by the Cabinet Committee on Essential Crops to establish a new Pakistan Cotton Board. This board is intended to strengthen governance and ensure that the cotton cess is utilized effectively for its intended purpose of reviving the sector. The proposal to convert the Multan research land appears to contradict these federal objectives of institutional strengthening. The textile industry remains firm in its stance that all agricultural land currently dedicated to cotton research must be protected and upgraded to ensure that Pakistan can once again achieve self-sufficiency in this critical raw material.
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