Cotton growers in Punjab are elated over the Pakistan government's decision to permit import of cotton from India through the Wagah border.

The plight of its textile industry has forced Pakistan to make the decision. The industry requires about 16 million bales of cotton annually, but the country produces only 13 million bales.

Currently, Pakistan imports cotton from India through sea routes at the additional cost of 500 rupees per quintal.

According to Bhagwan Bansal of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginners Association, the Pakistan decision has come as a boon for cotton growers in his state. Punjab, he added, is expecting historic cotton crop this season.

The "Shankar Six" type cotton Punjab grows is popular in Pakistan. Punjab can export it to Pakistan through the Wagah route near Amritsar.

Punjab is also likely to produce 3 million bales of cotton more this year. Last years its total production was 2.6 million bales. Punjab's textile industry requires only 2 million bales of cotton. The state can therefore sell 1 million bales of cotton to Punjab.