Traders lambast gas supply suspension
PHOTO; REUTERS
The business community has expressed serious concern over suspension of gas supply for 72 hours to the industries of Sindh and Balochistan, citing that it would place many export-oriented industries on the brink of shutdown.
In a statement on Friday, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo lamented that the industry faces the incidence of gas suspensions after every few months despite the assurances of the government of uninterrupted gas supply.
“Governments across the globe protect industries from unplanned gas and fuel outages,” he said. “In case of a disruption in fuel supplies, they help the industries ward off the adverse effects.”
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Maggo said that his association had warned the authorities that an unprecedented gas crisis could occur during the winter season and it would adversely impact the country’s exports. He urged the government to collaborate with the business community and chalk out a plan to protect the export-oriented industries.
He assured full support from FPCCI in facilitating the consultative process between the government and business community before the winter season kicked in.
He said that businessmen supported government’s vision of enhancing exports in a rapid and sustainable manner.
Criticising the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for gas suspension, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) former president Zubair Motiwala demanded immediate restoration of the supply of fuel to the industries claiming that it would affect the production activities.
He was of the view that delay in arrival of imported re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) should not affect the industries because natural gas was provided to the sector from indigenous sources.
“Instead of resorting to gas suspension, SSGC should adopt load management and rationalisation policy,” he said and stressed upon immediate restoration of gas supply to the industries.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2021.
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