APTMA irked over unilateral gas supply cut

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Acting Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab Mahmood Ihsan expressed concerns over unilateral gas supply cut to textile industry within two and a half days of the issuance of schedule of gas supply for four days in a week.

This sudden and surprised change in schedule of gas supply by the SNGPL is highly unfair and anti-industry decision, as it has hit the industrial capacity of meeting export orders, as one day cut in gas supply would leave the industry with no option but to close down one shift, he said. Resultantly, he added that the export commitments would be dishonoured. Consequently, that would earn a bad name for the country. Also, closing down of a shift would render thousands of textile workers jobless in a situation when the poverty is already plaguing terribly the working class.

Acting Chairman APTMA said energy supply is an utmost need of the hour and the industry is quite satisfied with four days in a week gas supply arrangement by the SNGPL in Lahore and Sheikhupura regions. However, a sudden change in distribution plan has put the industry into a troublesome situation, as all production plans are jeopardised.

He has urged the President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain to intervene immediately and direct the SNGPL to revert to four days a week gas supply to facilitate the textile industry in processing export orders.