Uninterrupted power supply required to prevent total disaster: APTMA

APTMA Punjab chapter President says the industry experience unannounced eight to ten hours of load shedding a day.

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab chapter President Ahsan Bashir has called for an uninterrupted power supply to the textile industry in Punjab to prevent a total disaster.

Bashir said that the industry experienced unannounced eight to ten hours of load shedding a day.

According to him, the industry was denied power supply during days when gas supply was heavily curtailed due to cold weather conditions.

“This alarming situation is translating into excessive shift closures and massive layoffs across Punjab,” said Bashir.

The APTMA Punjab President said that the textile mills were paying their power bills regularly; however it was not understandable why the government was not serious towards solving this issue.

As of December 2011, the textile industry has already registered 35-40% decline in exports. Bashir expressed concern saying that the country may lose $300 million per month during the second half of 2012.

He said the industrial unrest might rise further as the energy managers are shutting down 132KVA lines for textile industry in Punjab.

Stating that the textile industry was under serious threat of closure followed by bankruptcy, the APTMA Punjab President said industry’s capacity of cash generation is at halt due to disrupted power supply.

He urged the government to fix the situation immediately and ensure uninterrupted power supply to textile industry.