APTMA urges APCNGA not to force govt’s hand
Says going on strike will not help secure a larger gas quota.
LAHORE:
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has ask the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) to show patience and forward their suggestions to the government, as it believes that going on strike will not help the latter secure an increase in the existing quota allocated to the CNG sector.
In a joint press briefing with the Fertiliser Association and the Independent Power Producers Advisory Council, held under the auspices of the Save Pakistan Industry Forum (SPIF), members of APTMA have said that the number of people employed in the CNG sector account for a mere 20 thousand jobs; much lower than the industrial sector. They said that the APCNGA has started a campaign against the demands of SPIF, which, if successful, would hurt the industry and its workforce.
“Industries in Punjab – especially in the fertiliser and power sector – are headed towards bankruptcy,” APTMA leader Gohar Ijaz said. “We are not in favour of the closure of any sector, but the government should evolve a straight policy on the efficient utilisation of natural resources. If the government’s policy prioritises the CNG sector, then we, the industrialists, will never protest – but in such circumstances we cannot also guarantee the employment of millions of our workers,” Ijaz reiterated.
“Last year, Pakistan’s economy suffered around $4 billion in losses due to closure of industries due to the energy crisis. If the situation persists, this year will be even more taxing for the industrial sector. The government is engaged in negotiations with different countries for the import of electricity; meanwhile our power plants are not being provided with enough gas to lower generation tariffs because it is being diverted to unproductive sectors,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2012.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has ask the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) to show patience and forward their suggestions to the government, as it believes that going on strike will not help the latter secure an increase in the existing quota allocated to the CNG sector.
In a joint press briefing with the Fertiliser Association and the Independent Power Producers Advisory Council, held under the auspices of the Save Pakistan Industry Forum (SPIF), members of APTMA have said that the number of people employed in the CNG sector account for a mere 20 thousand jobs; much lower than the industrial sector. They said that the APCNGA has started a campaign against the demands of SPIF, which, if successful, would hurt the industry and its workforce.
“Industries in Punjab – especially in the fertiliser and power sector – are headed towards bankruptcy,” APTMA leader Gohar Ijaz said. “We are not in favour of the closure of any sector, but the government should evolve a straight policy on the efficient utilisation of natural resources. If the government’s policy prioritises the CNG sector, then we, the industrialists, will never protest – but in such circumstances we cannot also guarantee the employment of millions of our workers,” Ijaz reiterated.
“Last year, Pakistan’s economy suffered around $4 billion in losses due to closure of industries due to the energy crisis. If the situation persists, this year will be even more taxing for the industrial sector. The government is engaged in negotiations with different countries for the import of electricity; meanwhile our power plants are not being provided with enough gas to lower generation tariffs because it is being diverted to unproductive sectors,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2012.