ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly of Pakistan will meet on May 11 to discuss the coronavirus situation in the country after parliamentary leaders belonging to various political factions reached a consensus on necessary safety measures and rules of procedure, announced Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday.
The speaker of the assembly, Asad Qaiser, recently formed a committee to look into the possibility of holding an online session amid the growing number of COVID-19 infections in Pakistan.
However, most of the opposition parties said they were against the idea of holding a virtual meeting, wondering why could the legislature not convene a session when the other two organs of state – the executive and judiciary – were continuing their duties amid the pandemic.
Talking to Arab News earlier, the country’s former prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said that he was against the idea since the dynamics of debate in a virtual environment would “be controlled by a technician.”
He also thought that the government would use the online session as a precedent to pass the national budget virtually.
A senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader, Nafisa Shah, also told Arab News previously that the rules did not allow a virtual sitting of parliament, adding that any amendment to these procedures would require the National Assembly to hold an offline meeting.
Most opposition members, however, criticized the government for the health care crisis triggered by the pandemic and insisted that the assembly needed to hold its session to discuss the government’s performance.
Qureshi also pointed out on Tuesday that COVID-19 would be the only discussion item on the agenda to allow legislators to share their suggestions and recommendations regarding the disease and to build national consensus on the issue.
He also added that they would try to reach an agreement on the modalities of budget sessions during the National Assembly sittings.
Pakistani Parliament to meet in first session since virus surge
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Pakistani Parliament to meet in first session since virus surge
- The speaker of the house decided to explore the possibility of an online session that was rejected by most opposition members
- Lawmakers belonging to different political factions agreed on safety measures, rules of procedures on Tuesday
Pakistan footwear sector flags used imports as barrier to export growth
- Industry says production capacity far exceeds domestic consumption, signaling export potential
- Its delegation tells commerce minister up to 40 percent of domestic market met through used shoe imports
KARACHI: Pakistan’s leather and footwear industry has warned that rising imports of used shoes are distorting the domestic market and limiting export growth, according to a commerce ministry statement issued on Thursday after industry representatives met Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
The meeting focused on export potential, domestic market challenges and regulatory concerns linked to the import of second-hand footwear, which industry leaders say is undermining local manufacturers despite significant production capacity.
“Pakistan’s annual footwear consumption is estimated at around 550 million pairs, while the country has an installed production capacity of nearly 700 million pairs annually, indicating significant potential for both domestic supply and export expansion,” the delegation said, according to the commerce ministry statement.
“A considerable portion of this capacity remains underutilized due to market distortions created by the growing influx of used footwear imports,” it added.
Industry representatives told the minister that around 30-40 percent of Pakistan’s domestic footwear market is currently supplied through imports of used shoes, many of which enter the country under the broader customs category of used clothing and accessories.
They said branded footwear is often imported at very low declared values under this classification, creating what they described as unfair competition for domestic manufacturers.
To address the issue, the delegation proposed introducing a separate Harmonized System (HS) code for used footwear, which would allow regulators to better track imports, improve customs valuation and introduce sector-specific regulatory measures.
The commerce ministry said the proposal has been placed on the agenda of the Tariff Policy Board and could eventually be considered as part of the upcoming federal budget following consultations and approvals.
The commerce minister acknowledged the importance of the leather and footwear sector as a potential export driver and reiterated the government’s support for local manufacturing and export-led growth, the statement said.
He also encouraged industry stakeholders to expand exports while ensuring locally produced footwear remains affordable for domestic consumers.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to help the sector boost employment, increase production and expand Pakistan’s presence in international footwear markets.
