Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) is testing the water of textile industry by flouting the decisions of the Federal Cabinet as well as the Prime Minister to ensure five days a week gas supply to industry.
Gohar Ejaz, Central Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), told Business Recorder that the SNGPL has started notifying suspension of gas supply to industry before drying up the ink of decision by the prime minister for five days a week gas supply to textile industry.
It may be noted that the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had termed gas disruption to industry in Punjab as an intrigue, followed by a meeting convened by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani a day earlier. Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure five days a week gas supply to textile industry. Earlier, Economic Co-ordination Committee had also directed the SNGPL to ensure gas supply to textile industry.
Gohar said the SNGPL authorities have started notifying five days suspension of gas to textile mills in Rawalpindi region. According to him, the SNGPL was making mockery of the government decisions, which tantamount to negation to the writ of the government.
He said he has informed the Federal Petroleum Ministry Naveed Qamar about the SNGPL's adamant approach on the issue and said the Aptma would have no option but to march on the SNGPL in case it failed to implement decisions from the highest office of the country. Rehan Nawaz, General Manager Sales SNGPL, was not available to comment despite repeated attempts.