Gas suspension by SNGPL: industrial units remained closed for the second consecutive day

Industrial Units most of them Textile Factories, Chemicals & Washing Soap manufacturing industries and CNG Stations remained closed for the second consecutive day here Saturday due to gas suspension for four days by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
Furthermore, women of various localities took out protest procession against the low gas pressure at their homes. All Procession gathered out side the Regional Office of SNGPL and broke the window pains and burnt old tyers in the middle of road to register their protest against low gas pressure.
In Jhang, hundreds women took out protest procession from Satellite Town, and processionists raised the slogans against Federal Government and Gas authorities. In other parts of Faisalabad Division, electricity and Sui gas load shedding have created great problem for the general masses, who seem helpless. Sui gas remains shut for hours in Faisalabad, Chiniot, Tandlianwala, Jaranwala, Kamalia, Gojra, Khurrianwala and other towns. In these areas, gas pressure goes down dramatically. The housewives face great trouble and are unable to cook food. On the other hand, electric load shedding has pushed the city into darkness. It has gone up to 12 hours a day.
Hundreds power looms factories have been locked and a number of labourers are out of job due to this problem. The business circles are also facing difficulties in their business activities. Meanwhile unemployment is increasing in the industrial city.
Businessmen and Industrialists expressing concern over a recent increase in liquified petroleum gas (LPG) prices and two percent more increase in electricity bills have urged the government to overcome the situation. Members of Anjuman-e-Tajran Faisalabad criticised the performance of government departments concerned, which failed to control high prices and black-marketing of essential items including fuel LPG in winter season. They said that per KG price of LPG had touched Rs 115 in various areas of the division, which would not only increase transport fares but also domestic expenses. He was of the view that a mafia had begun black-marketing of essential items, which would badly affect the common man. They said the government to evolve a strict check and balance system to provide relief to the masses.
Chaudhry Salamat Ali, Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone said that the gas suspension plan for four days would have a very negative impact on entire export oriented and labour intensive Value Added Textile Industry as well as National Economy.
In a press statement, he mentioned that the Textile Industry was already passing through very challenging times due to acute shortage of gas and electricity, while worst law and order situation is creating so many problems. He demanded that the government should fulfil the promises with the business community for two-day gas shedding across the board to save textile industry and livelihood of three million workers.