2011 be declared 'Textile Year': Zardari

The president said during the "textile year" state land will be distributed free among the poor women.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday declared the year 2011 as "Textile Year" for Pakistan to substantially increase cotton cultivation, develop new and high yielding varieties of cotton and attract robust investment to promote the textile industry.

Speaking at the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association’s (APTMA) annual dinner, the president said that during the "textile year" state land will be distributed free among the poor women of the area for growing cotton.

He said that the government adopted the policy of public-private partnership for rapid development, reduction in poverty and employment opportunities in the country.

The president also highlighted the importance of the textile sector in the economic development of Pakistan and said that the setting up of garment cities in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad is recognition of the importance the government accords to the textile sector.