Switching off gas supply to textile industry totally wrong

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Asim Hussain said that switching off gas for 90 days to the textile industry was totally wrong.

"We will continue and compensate you during winter season," he said while addressing a select gathering of gas-fed textile millers on the invitation of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) at a local club.

He said the president and the prime minister were aware of the problems faced by textile industry.

According to him, no serious effort was made in the past to deal with the problem of gas shortage, saying that the planning of gas distribution to industry was very poor.

The minister said import of 500 mmcfd has been delayed from March 2012 to October, as construction of first terminal in Karachi would start by January.

"We've stepped up exploration, 125mcfd gas would be inducted in the system by December 7, followed by another 30mmcfd within next two months," he added.

Dr Asim said that plans were chalked out to lay down dedicated supply line for the industry.

Aptma chief Gohar Ejaz said a short supply of gas has resulted in 14 percent reduction in production in October 2011.  He said the textile industry was contributing heavily as a backbone of Pakistan economy.