Islamabad, Dec 13: The Pakistan Government has allowed import of 500,000 bales of short staple cotton from India through land route via Wagah border to overcome domestic shortage.

Sources said that the decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet presided by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro.

They said the ECC directed Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh to ensure that cotton import did not exceed the allowed limit that might cause the domestic cotton prices to crash, to the disadvantage of farmers.

It was for the first time in more than eight years that almost all the leading newspapers were kept out of a briefing on the ECC meeting despite repeated requests, the Dawn reported. (ANI)