A proposed merger of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee into the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has stalled despite receiving legal clearance, raising concerns about delays in efforts to revive Pakistan’s declining cotton sector.
The Ministry of Law approved the merger on March 4, but the summary is still pending with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, which has yet to move it forward for final approval. The delay comes despite repeated instructions from senior government leadership to expedite the process.
The merger is a key part of the government’s Cotton Revival Plan, which aims to improve research efficiency, streamline resources, and boost domestic cotton production. However, progress has been slowed by bureaucratic delays, even though the federal cabinet had already granted in-principle approval back in January 2025.
Industry stakeholders and experts have voiced concern over the continued inaction, warning that delays are worsening the challenges facing the cotton sector. Pakistan’s cotton production has declined sharply in recent years, while research bodies have struggled with limited funding and operational inefficiencies.
The PCCC, which was historically funded through a cess collected from the textile industry, has faced financial difficulties since those payments were halted in 2014. Ongoing governance issues and uncertainty around funding allocation have further complicated the merger process.
Stakeholders say timely implementation is critical, as strengthening research and institutional coordination is seen as essential to reversing the downward trend in cotton production and supporting Pakistan’s broader agricultural and textile economy.
