Energy shortage: Sialkot industrialists threaten shutdown

Business community may close factories from August 1.

SIALKOT:

The Sialkot business community has announced that it will take to the streets from July 25 to protest against power outages in the export-oriented city in a statement issued on Friday. They said that as much as 70 per cent of Sialkot’s industrial production was badly affected due to the ongoing power crisis.

They also threatened to shut down production completely. “The prolonged power outages have forced us to come on the roads and lock up our factories,” they said. “If there is no let-up in the power outages all the factories will be locked up from August 1.”

The decision to protest was announced after an important meeting of Sialkot’s main trade bodies held at the premises of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). SCCI President Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhary presided over the meeting. Sialkot based industrialists, traders and exporters also announced that they will hoist black flags on houses, factories, workplaces and city roads. They said that they will also conduct peaceful rallies and stage demonstrations in various parts of the city.

Chaudhary and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association central chairman Ejaz A Khokhar expressed grave concern over the situation. “We have time and again pointed out that authorities must realise the special status of Sialkot’s industry and that they need to extend cooperation so that hard-earned foreign orders are not disturbed, but no one pays heed,” they said. He said that no option has been left for the public and the industry but to protest against the forced load¬ shedding.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2011.