Value-added textile exports: PHMA chief criticises gas supply suspension

LAHORE: Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) central chairman Shahzad Azam Khan on Thursday denounced the abrupt gas supply suspension to the value-added textile export industry, without serving any notice and offering any alternate arrangement, causing severe hindrances in industrial activities.

The PHMA Chairman, in an appeal sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Energy minister Hammad Azhar, has asked to take immediate cognizance of the aggravated situation and rescue the export-industries from inequitable conduct of the gas utility companies.

He made a request to the Federal Energy Minister to pass directives to the distribution companies for restoration of gas connections of value-added textile export industry in the biggest industrial hub of the country.

He lamented that Prime Minister Imran Khan was all out to support the export-oriented sectors of Pakistan but some vested interests are bent upon frustrating the intents of the government by harassing exporters and hindering the unprecedented growth in exports.

According to him, exports from Pakistan have registered an impressive uplift over the last few months due to unflinching support by the Prime Minister and coordination of the Energy Minister Hammad Azhar but the pace of potential upsurge in exports may be retracted by unfriendly attitude of the gas company.

The PHMA Chairman observed that the export industries of Karachi have already been facing extreme gas outages and low gas pressure for the last more than three months despite of the assurance of the govt to supply uninterrupted gas to the export industries. Nonetheless, rather to admit and take the responsibility of the current gas crises due to unwise planning the gas company Management has been blaming the top export industries as thieves which is highly deplorable.

“It is the deepest level of disrespect and disgrace to call exporters thieves who are the highest paymasters of Sui Southern Gas Company, supporting the national economy and export industry as the driving force, generating 68 percent revenue for the national exchequer and contributing 54 percent to total national exports, besides providing highest urban employment in Karachi.

He said that the gas company management is also harassing and forcing the textile exporters to sign undertakings, which is very unfortunate.

Expressing concern, Shahzad Azam Khan condemned the SSGC for character assassination of Pakistani exporters in the eyes of international community. If the government and its organizations are hesitant to give the deserving recognition and due credit to exporters to strengthen the national economy and earn valuable foreign exchange for Pakistan then they should also refrain from damaging their character.

Is there any ulterior motive to purposefully target and victimize the industries of Karachi so they may shift elsewhere in Pakistan or abroad, he questioned.

He requested the Prime Minister to call an immediate delegation of value-added textile exporters to have an insight of burning issues and problems being faced by exporters. He opined that the industries of Karachi must not suffer at the cost of maladministration and ill-planning of the SSGC who are responsible for the ongoing gas crises.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022