Mr. Sheikh Afzal Hussain, newly elected Chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) along with his team members Mr. Fazalur Rehman Sheikh, Sr. Vice Chairman and Mr. Muhammad Shafi, Vice Chairman, PTA and the entire Central Executive Committee of PTA, have sought government support to resolve number of issues being, faced by the leather industry.

They in statement have pointed out that 40% factories of the Industry are already closed their business operation and remaining are functioning @ 50%, out of their total production capacity, which is reflected in the export figure for the financial year from July’18 to June’2019.

Naming the core issues, they urged to reinstate the SRO # 1125 with “Zero Rated Status” for Leather Sector of Pakistan, as this specific Industry is purely 95% export oriented Sector of the country, while remaining is already documented. Besides, allow duty free import of all basic raw materials for the Industry such as 1) Raw Hides & Skins of Cow, Buffalo, sheep & Goat skins 2) fundamental tanning chemicals & 3) tanning machineries for the Leather Industry for necessary value addition/ up gradation of the Industry. Some more issues need to be tacked are DLTL Scheme, revised SRO without further delay by notifying 24-Tanning Machines for the Government subsidy.

PTA has also requested to declare officially Raw Hides & skins as Agricultural Produce item and Sale of Raw Hides & skins should be considered as “Agriculture Income ” .

In view of the above peculiar nature of circumstances for this vital Industry of the country, Chairman, PTA, Sheikh Afzal Hussain on behalf of Leather Sector of Pakistan strongly appealed to the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan for immediate resoling of industry issues on war footing basis for amelioration with level playing in comparison with neighbor competing countries so this productive Industry of the country would continue to play its due role for strengthening the country’s economy.