Gas suspension has literally paralysed textile sector: APBUMA

RECORDER REPORT

MULTAN: Khwaja Muhammad Younus, Chairman All Pakistan Bedsheets and Upholstery Manufacturers Association said that suspension of gas to the textile sector for indefinite period of time has literally paralysed it leaving hundreds of thousands of workers unemployed. He was addressing a meeting of APBUMA specially called to discuss the impact of forced gas suspension. Khawaja Younus said that the textile sector is entrenched owing multifaceted crisis and will have the toll on all the social and economic conditions of the country.

He was of the view that the foreign reserves of the country are already under severe pressure as the payment has to make to IMF and country is solely relying on exports and remittances to meet the requirements. “It is clear in case of shutdown of textile sector, we will not be able to meet the export orders on time which means fewer dollars in terms of export realisations,” he added.

The Chairman also commented that the unemployed resulting from closure of textile units all across the Punjab will create law-and-order situation as well as the people will be left with no option other than robberies so settle their financial needs.

S Muhammad Aasim shah, former chairman of APBUMA said that we will not be in position to take benefit of duty-free access granted by the EU if the current circumstance prevail for long. Therefore, the Government should prioritise the textile sector for the supply of Gas as it will not only create economic activity but also defuse the anxiety crippling among the people. He was of the view that we will not be able to achieve our export target and will lose the momentum we have gained in exports. He said that unfulfilled order will hugely undermine our reputation and buyers will shift their interest to our competitors.