Gas stoppage: Protest planned in front of parliament

PTEA Chairman says that industry received gas only for five and a half days in December and no gas at all in January.

FAISALABAD:

Agitating textile millers of the city have announced that they will stop running their factories and embark on a protest drive against complete stoppage of gas supply in an effort to save the industry.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting here on Monday where all chapters of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association expressed their resolve to go to any extent, including protests in front of parliament and blocking of roads throughout Punjab.

Briefing the media after the meeting, PTEA Chairman Asghar Ali described the energy shortage as disastrous, saying the industry received gas only for five and a half days in December and no gas at all in January.

Despite assurance of 25% gas supply given by the adviser to prime minister on petroleum, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines has completely stopped supply to the industry.

Ali said the textile industry faced the threat of closure as production had been severely disrupted. Furthermore, the industrialists have not been able to meet export deadlines, earning them a reputation of ‘unreliable supplier’ in world markets.

He did not seem to be encouraged by alternative energy solutions, saying these were much costly and would increase the cost of production, making textile products uncompetitive in international markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2013.

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