Punjab's industry to get gas from Monday: Dr Asim assures Aptma

Federal Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain has assured All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) group leader Gohar Ejaz of restoration of gas supply to industry from Monday onwards. Earlier, the government had assured restoration of gas supply from January 11. However, it has been delayed for another four days until coming Monday.
Gohar said the federal minister is set to inaugurate the Kunnar Pashaki gas field on January 12 (Thursday) along with the Prime Minister. He expressed the hope that gas supply to industry in Punjab would be restored from Monday onwards. The Aptma has taken strong exception to the failure of SNGPL in honouring its commitment of restoring gas supply from January 11. It has panicked not only the industry at large but the industrial workers as well. He said massive unemployment is on the cards in case no immediate reversal to the situation takes place.
Group leader Aptma said the textile industry has already lost $2 billion exports due to energy crisis and it may lose another $2 billion in case the supply is denied for another month. Further, he said, the textile industry in Punjab was employing 10 million workers and each of them is taking care of a family of five members.
He expressed the hope that the government would not delay restoration of gas supply to industry in Punjab any further and let the industry perform and save jobs of millions of workers. Meanwhile, SNGPL spokesman said 50mmcfd from Kunnar Pashaki gas filed in 2nd week of January has been delayed due to which gas supply to industrial sector has not been restored as per the rotational formula.
As soon as the SNGPL starts receiving 50mmcfd gas from the gas filed, it would consider gradual restoration of gas supply to industrial sector in Punjab, added a text message from the spokesman. Also, in another development, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has convened a meeting of industrial bigwigs on energy crisis in Punjab. It may be noted that the Chief Minister had vowed to approach the court of law on unfair distribution of gas to Punjab industry.