LAHORE: The cotton crop in Punjab is currently showing a generally satisfactory condition, while rice cultivation in the province has exceeded the government’s target by a significant margin, with growers sowing the crop over more than six million acres against the planned five million acres. The latest assessment was shared at a high-level meeting held in Multan on Saturday to review the progress of major standing crops, agricultural extension services and measures aimed at strengthening farming activity across Punjab. The meeting was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and brought together senior officials from the Agriculture and Irrigation departments, representatives of the farming community and experts from the agricultural sector. Among those attending were Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Asif Ali, Special Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Sarfraz Hussain Magsi, Agriculture Department Directors General Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Dr Aamir Rasool and Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman, as well as Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, Syed Hassan Raza and Dr Muhammad Iqbal Bandesha. Additional Secretary Task Force Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Director General Crop Reporting Dr Abdul Qayyum and Agriculture Department Consultant Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali participated in the meeting through a video link. Officials briefed the meeting on the condition of major crops and the progress of field-level initiatives designed to assist farmers. Cotton remained a major focus of the discussion because of its importance to Pakistan’s textile-based economy and its contribution to agricultural incomes. The participants were informed that the cotton crop across Punjab was in a satisfactory condition. However, officials stressed the need for continued field monitoring and timely technical support to protect the crop from potential threats during its critical growth stages. Cotton is considered one of Pakistan’s most important cash crops and serves as a major source of raw material for the country’s textile industry. Its performance has a direct bearing on farmers, ginners, textile manufacturers and export-oriented businesses. In recent years, cotton production has faced challenges from changing weather patterns, pest attacks, input costs and competition from alternative crops. Sahoo emphasised that the government was giving priority to agricultural development and the economic well-being of farmers. He directed agriculture officials and field formations to maintain regular contact with growers and ensure that technical advice reached farmers in a timely manner. He said the strategy prepared for the revival and strengthening of cotton cultivation should be implemented in letter and spirit. Officials were also asked to remain active in the field and assist growers in dealing with crop-related issues. Highlighting cotton’s wider economic significance, the additional chief secretary said the country’s economy and textile sector could not be viewed separately from the performance of the cotton crop. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to improve productivity and strengthen the position of cotton growers. The meeting also reviewed the progress of rice cultivation. According to the officials, rice had already been planted over more than six million acres in Punjab, exceeding the season’s target of five million acres. Sahoo directed agricultural authorities to intensify technical guidance for rice growers, particularly to help them improve productivity, maintain crop quality and adopt better farming practices. He called for greater involvement of regional agricultural forums and professional experts in addressing issues faced by farmers at the local level. Such platforms, he said, should use their technical expertise to help improve agricultural performance and provide practical solutions to growers. The additional chief secretary also appreciated the efforts of Agriculture Department field teams for their role in supporting farmers and monitoring crop conditions across the province. Later, Sahoo visited the Model Agriculture Mall in Multan to inspect arrangements for the provision of agricultural inputs to farmers. During the visit, he reviewed the availability of fertilisers and other essential inputs and sought information from officials regarding stocks and farmer demand. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure uninterrupted availability of fertiliser at the facility so that farmers did not face shortages during the ongoing crop season. Officials said crop conditions would continue to be monitored closely in the coming weeks. With rice cultivation entering the final stages of the transplantation period and cotton moving into an important phase of its growth cycle, timely field intervention and availability of agricultural inputs would remain crucial to determining overall crop performance. The government is expected to maintain its focus on farmer guidance, crop monitoring and input availability as the province moves further into the agricultural season.

Pakistan has formally approached China to refinance a $1.3 billion commercial loan, as the government continues efforts to strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves and meet its external financing obligations. According to officials familiar with the matter, negotiations between Pakistani and Chinese authorities are currently in progress to finalise the terms and conditions of the refinancing arrangement. Once the discussions are completed, the funds are expected to be disbursed later this month. The anticipated inflow is expected to provide much-needed support to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which remain under pressure due to significant external debt repayments and ongoing financing requirements. The refinancing would also help ease short-term liquidity pressures while supporting the country’s broader macroeconomic stability. Sources revealed that Pakistan repaid approximately $2.2 billion in external debt during July, including the settlement of the $1.3 billion Chinese commercial loan. The government’s request for refinancing is aimed at replacing the repaid amount, ensuring that reserve levels remain stable without placing additional strain on the country’s external account. The move comes as Islamabad continues to pursue a strategy of securing rollover agreements and refinancing facilities from friendly countries and international partners to meet its debt servicing commitments. Maintaining adequate foreign exchange reserves has remained a key priority for economic managers as Pakistan seeks to strengthen investor confidence and sustain financial stability. Economic experts believe that successful refinancing of the Chinese loan would provide temporary relief to the country’s external financing position while allowing policymakers greater flexibility in managing upcoming debt obligations. Officials said talks with Chinese financial institutions are progressing positively, although the final timeline will depend on the completion of documentation and agreement on financing terms. The refinancing request also reflects Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to manage its external debt profile prudently amid global economic uncertainties and higher financing costs in international markets.