Minister says four days a week gas supply for textile industry

Minister says supply will be upgraded to five days a week once new gas finds are in place.

LAHORE: Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain said on Monday that the textile industry would receive gas supply for four days a week during winters, which will later be upgraded to five days a week once new gas finds are in place.

Speaking to All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) members, including Group Leader Gohar Ejaz, Central Chairman Mohsin Aziz and Chairman Punjab Ahsan Bashir, the federal minister said that the government had planned gas curtailment to power plants, and not the textile industry, for uninterrupted gas supply to fertilizer plants during Rabi season.

A panicky situation in the textile industry is uncalled for as the government has a strong realisation that this industry is contributing to the economy in terms of jobs and precious exports, he added.

The federal minister said that the government would keep the textile industry on top priority in the gas load management plan, as it could not afford its closure at any cost. The industry share of gas would not be reduced and supply would remain intact despite ongoing gas shortage, he stressed.

APTMA members informed the federal minister that the industry had gone into a state of financial crisis due to 40% underutilized capacities in the wake of energy shortages. They demanded the removal of the three day a week gas supply curtailment.

The government should dedicate new gas finds of 200-mmcfd to the industry, which consumes 300-mmcfd of the SNGPL network, said APTMA members.

The industry leadership said the viability of the industry was being compromised, which would soon be forced to become a national liability as it cannot sustain 14% interest rate, 40% closed capacity and three days a week gas curtailment.

The industry has already faced gas curtailment for 120 days during the outgoing summer season, which means the SNGPL has already cut gas supply for more than 90 days, which is set in gas connection contracts.

Four million bales will remain unutilized due to forced closure if gas supply curtailment continues for three days a week. Cotton growers are already under pressure as textile mills are not in a position to procure two million bales due to energy shortage.