All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has announced to hold series of protests against suspension of gas supply to textile mills by the SNGPL for indefinite period from Wednesday (tomorrow). Thousands of textile workers to participate in the protests in Punjab at the Manga-Raiwind Road, said Aptma spokesman.
He further added that Aptma leadership was also likely to attend the protest against gas supply suspension for indefinite period by the SNGPL. It may be noted that gas supply to textile industry has been suspended since December 25 and the SNGPL management has informed that it is unlikely that gas supply would be restored in January.
Aptma spokesman said it was impossible for the industry to continue with production plans due to severe energy crisis and providing job to about 10 million textile workers of Punjab. Also, he said, 70 percent of the textile industry was located in Punjab where gas supply on the SNGPL network has been denied since December 25. He said the textile industry has contributed to the national economy by achieving record exports of $14 billion (over 55% of the total exports) last fiscal and it was providing employment to 48% workforce of the manufacturing sector in the country.