Two-zone policy for Punjab textile to be followed from March 1: SNGPL

Managing Director, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL), Arif Hameed, has said that two zones policy for textile industry will be followed for gas distribution from 1st of March. He was addressing the Executive Committee Members of Aptma on Tuesday. Senior SNGPL management was also accompanying him on the occasion. Acting Chairman Aptma Seth Akhbar, Chairman Aptma Punjab Ahsan Bashir and Group Leader Aptma Gohar Ejaz welcomed the SNGPL top management at the Aptma.
MD SNGPL said increase in gas supply to textile industry during the month of February was subject to availability of gas. However, the SNGPL would revert to original two zones policy, against four zones policy at present, for gas distribution to textile industry in Punjab, he added.
He said that negotiations with Qatar and Iran are underway for import of gas to meet the shortage. He appreciated the Aptma leadership for never asking for individual benefit during discussion with the SNGPL on gas availability for industry and expressed his gratitude for supporting the SNGPL and understanding its compulsions during the worst gas load shedding from December 25 throughout the month of January.
He said the SNGPL started supplying twice a week gas supply to textile industry on rotational basis soon after the government permitted to supply gas to industrial sectors. He said gas shortage in Punjab was mainly due to low temperatures in winter and expressed the hope that mercury would remain stable despite rain forecast ahead. He assured the Aptma members of equal distribution of gas and told the house that the SNGPL was supply 30 per cent of available gas each to processing and furnace industry, 20 per cent to ghee industry and 10 per cent for gas industry.
According to him, the chances of discovery of another 180MMCFD gas from Kunar Poshaki field are very much likely and the SNGPL would get 90MMCFD from Kunar field. He said possibility of another 120MMCFD from Northern sources is very much there that would be carried down up to Faisalabad through laying down 100KM pipeline. SNGPL said Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) was solution to the Punjab industry gas problems. Discussions are underway for construction of three terminals to meet the purpose and the SNGPL was part of all these discussions, he added.