Gas supply suspension: APTMA to begin protest on Jan 4

Textile mill workers and APTMA's management will gather at the Manga-Raiwind Road in Lahore.

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association will hold a series of protests against suspension of gas supply to textile mills from January 4.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) last week announced gas curtailment for all industries in Punjab for an indefinite period of time. According to a notification issued by the company, the decision was taken to provide gas to its domestic consumers.

An APTMA spokesperson said that textile mill workers and the association’s management will gather at the Manga-Raiwind Road in Lahore. “APTMA’s top leadership is also likely to attend the protest.”

The spokesperson said that it is impossible for the industry to continue with its production plans due to the severe energy crisis.

He said that 70% of the textile industry is located in Punjab and employs about 10 million workers. “The textile industry has contributed to the national economy by achieving record exports of $14 billion (over 55% of total exports) last fiscal year. Forty-eight per cent of the workforce of the manufacturing sector in the country is employed by the textile industry,” he said.