Aptma Punjab to defy gas loadshedding from Monday

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab has announced that it would defy gas loadshedding for textile industry from Monday onwards.

At a hurriedly called press conference, the APTMA leadership said the APTMA member mills would reject gas load management plan in case the government failed to supply gas to textile mills in Punjab.

Chairman APTMA Punjab Ahsan Bashir said that all promises made by the government for restoration of gas supply to textile industry are proved false.

They said the government has no idea of massive unemployment in textile industry where daily wagers are already out of jobs while the regular ones are facing layoffs.

Ahsan said the industry has failed to understand about the priority of the government on gas supply.

He said gas is being supplied to vehicles and heaters but nothing for survival of labour of textile industry.

He said the APTMA members have lost confidence on the government.

Gohar Ejaz said there was an assurance of gas restoration some 12 days back but all in vain.

"The APTMA has decided to reject load management schedule of the SNGPL if no restoration of gas supply is ensured to textile industry by coming Monday," he said categorically.

He said the APTMA would also be approaching courts.