Gas supply suspension period extended to three days
Industrialists oppose and urge SNGPL to reverse its decision.
FAISALABAD:
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has extended the suspension period of gas supply for the industrial sector in the Faisalabad region from 48 hours to 72 hours, multiplying the woes of the businessmen and labourers.
Industries were already in dismal condition pre-suspension period. The new decision to disrupt supply for three days in a week has drilled the final nail in the coffin, said industrialists while talking to The Express Tribune.
At the time when industrialists were making efforts to put an end to the two days a week gas suspension, the authorities have further complicated the situation by enforcing an additional day suspension of gas which in unacceptable to the industrialists, they added.
An official from the SNGPL while talking to The Express Tribune said that SNGPL faced gas shortfall during the winter season up to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, which resulted in a standstill in operations of the industries in Punjab. Currently, the shortfall is 600 million cubic feet per day, resulting in suspension of gas for three days a week, he added.
Three days ago, the government issued directions to the gas company to reverse its decision. The decision was reversed by the SNGPL but the company decided to issue a suspension notice to Punjab industries, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muzammil Sultan while talking to The Express Tribune.
How the industry will be able to meet export orders worth billions of rupees when they are forced to cease their operations, he asked.
How can Pakistan convince local and foreign investors for business opportunities when the country is not able to manage fuel supply to its existing industries, asked Muzammil.
Businesses remained fuel deprived for 164 days causing loss of billions of rupees, driving away international buyers to regional competitors, said Irtaza Khan, a garments exporter.
Industrialists have suffered unbearable losses due to the energy shortfall, leading to violent protests by people all over Punjab particularly in Faisalabad, he added.
Therefore, the industrialists and exporters demanded a permanent solution and asked the government to expedite gas imports from Iran or discovering and exploiting new sources domestically.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2012.
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has extended the suspension period of gas supply for the industrial sector in the Faisalabad region from 48 hours to 72 hours, multiplying the woes of the businessmen and labourers.
Industries were already in dismal condition pre-suspension period. The new decision to disrupt supply for three days in a week has drilled the final nail in the coffin, said industrialists while talking to The Express Tribune.
At the time when industrialists were making efforts to put an end to the two days a week gas suspension, the authorities have further complicated the situation by enforcing an additional day suspension of gas which in unacceptable to the industrialists, they added.
An official from the SNGPL while talking to The Express Tribune said that SNGPL faced gas shortfall during the winter season up to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, which resulted in a standstill in operations of the industries in Punjab. Currently, the shortfall is 600 million cubic feet per day, resulting in suspension of gas for three days a week, he added.
Three days ago, the government issued directions to the gas company to reverse its decision. The decision was reversed by the SNGPL but the company decided to issue a suspension notice to Punjab industries, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muzammil Sultan while talking to The Express Tribune.
How the industry will be able to meet export orders worth billions of rupees when they are forced to cease their operations, he asked.
How can Pakistan convince local and foreign investors for business opportunities when the country is not able to manage fuel supply to its existing industries, asked Muzammil.
Businesses remained fuel deprived for 164 days causing loss of billions of rupees, driving away international buyers to regional competitors, said Irtaza Khan, a garments exporter.
Industrialists have suffered unbearable losses due to the energy shortfall, leading to violent protests by people all over Punjab particularly in Faisalabad, he added.
Therefore, the industrialists and exporters demanded a permanent solution and asked the government to expedite gas imports from Iran or discovering and exploiting new sources domestically.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2012.