SAI concerned at suspension of gas supply to SITE industries

KARACHI: President SITE Association of Industry, Abdul Rasheed has expressed grave concern over stoppage of gas supply to SITE industries and has appealed the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar to provide gas to industries with required pressure to save the industries from disaster and workers from going jobless.

Expressing apprehensions over the current situation, SAI president said that if the gas supply is not restored, there will remain no option but to close down industries and PM’s dream to stabilise economy and promote industrialisation will not come true.

“Covid-19 pandemic has already hit the industries and industrial production to a great extent due to which, industries have suffered huge losses and are now struggling for their survival and export promotion but the industrialists are at present, in trouble due to steps being taken by the government which are not industry-friendly as well as due to non-availability of ease of doing business measure,” he said.

SITE President further said that it is reality that when industry runs, it provides jobs and promotes exports. In the absence of gas, which is basic fuel for industry, Pakistani exporters will not be able to compete in the international markets. As such, the government should consider the issue seriously and avoid any such step which is not industry-friendly.

Abdul Rasheed has appealed the Prime Minister Imran Khan and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar to strictly direct the SSGC to provide gas to industries of SITE without interruption with required pressures so as to continue industrial production unabated with ultimate objective to bring stability in the national economy through export promotion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021