Apparel industry pledges to ramp up exports
The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has elected Sohail Afzal Sheikh as its central chairman for the 2026-28 term. The new leadership has pledged to strengthen apparel exports at a time when the industry is dealing with new tariffs, high energy costs and tighter buyer requirements.
Aamir Lakhani has been elected senior vice chairman and Ansar Aziz Puri vice chairman. "The industry is entering a period of significant transformation, with sustainability, digitalisation, traceability, changing trade policies and evolving buyer requirements becoming increasingly important for global competitiveness," said Sohail Afzal.
He said Pakistan's apparel industry must prepare for new requirements such as the European Union's Digital Product Passport and wider sustainability and supply-chain rules. He stressed the need to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, resource efficiency, decarbonisation and digital systems to keep and expand access to international markets.
Sheikh also called for protecting GSP+ market access, addressing the impact of US tariffs and diversifying export markets. He said the government should improve the ease of doing business through competitive energy tariffs, timely refunds and rebates, simpler regulations, better access to finance and efficient trade facilitation.
The new team takes over as Pakistan's textile sector shows a modest growth. Textile and clothing exports rose 5.55% to $3.4 billion in July-August 2026-27 from $3.2 billion in the same period of last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data.
Readymade garments did better than most categories, with exports rising 13.59% in the first two months of the current fiscal year to $827 million.
The annual numbers show how little growth the sector managed to achieve last year. Textile exports in the previous fiscal year were up only 0.26% at $17.93 billion, while readymade garment exports rose 3.87% to $4.29 billion.
Sheikh added that the association would continue its international engagement, including through sending a delegation to COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye. It will present Pakistan's apparel industry views on climate action, textile decarbonisation and sustainable global supply chains.
The new leadership said it would focus on export growth, policy advocacy, market access, sustainability, digital transformation and cooperation between the industry and government.