Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday expressed serious concerns over the deliberate delays in resolving the cess-related disputes over the past eight years.

He was chairing the 90th meeting of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC)’s Governing Body, which deliberated on critical issues surrounding the cotton cess and restructuring of the PCCC to revitalise its operations.

The Minister said the cess-related disputes have adversely impacted PCCC’s efficiency and its contributions to the national cotton research and development (R and D).

During the meeting, immediate measures were proposed to resolve the cess issue, ensure recovery of outstanding dues, and restore PCCC’s financial stability. Restructuring proposals for the PCCC were also reviewed during the meeting.

The goal is to reform PCCC’s governance and operational framework to enhance cotton R and D and effectively support cotton growers across the country.

The Minister emphasized the need for innovative public-private partnerships and targeted research initiatives to boost the cotton sector.

To address current challenges, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, announced plans to host a National Cotton Conference in Multan on February 4, 2025.

The conference will serve as a platform for stakeholders to devise sustainable strategies for the recovery and growth of the cotton industry.

Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting cotton growers and strengthening PCCC’s role as a key institution for the cotton sector.