The textile industry has started looking for alternatives to deal with unprecedented energy crisis, particularly in the province of Punjab. The industry has no faith in government as far as assurance for uninterrupted gas and electricity supply is concerned. Therefore, they had started looking for alternatives including coal-based electricity generation arrangement.
According to the industry sources, they were thinking of buying second hand turbines in order to kick start coal-based energy plans. The main reason behind this move was the government's failure in overcoming provincial prejudice against the province of Punjab. There was a general impression that no one from among the smaller provinces is ready to help Punjab industry in this need of hour.
Sources said recent Cabinet Committee meeting has decided two days gas holiday for the industry in Sindh. But sources close to the federal government suggest that the MQM has disliked the idea and it would not be possible for the government to offend it any further after annoying it by postponing AJK assembly's elections in Karachi. Therefore, chances of the two days gas holiday in Karachi are very bleak, said the sources.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has also criticised the centre for penalizing Punjab under the garb of energy crisis. He has further warned about two weeks earlier that the Punjab knows how to ensure its due right. Sources from the industry said they have started looking for alternatives after being disappointed by central government for not ensuring equitable sharing of available gas. Sources said opting for coal based energy solution would add their cost of doing business and was not advisable in present free market mechanism but they believe that managing the cost was easier than closing the businesses.
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