Winter woes: ICCI concerned over halt in gas supply to industries

Says it will create difficulties for the industry and push the fragile economy into a downward spiral.

ISLAMABAD:

Businessmen and traders have expressed concerns over the government’s decision to halt gas supply for industries in the capital and Punjab during winter saying it will create difficulties for the industry and push the fragile economy into a downward spiral.

The acting president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Muhammad Shakeel Munir said in a press release that industries were already going through a tough phase owing to electricity shortfall and other factors. In these circumstances, he complained, cutting gas supply for industries during winter will add to the plight and urged the government to revisit the decision.

He added that the government should take all stakeholders, including business leaders on board and develop an integrated energy plan to cope with this serious issue and also deliberate over the issue of importing of LNG from Qatar. Munir further suggested that the government should also take all possible measures for the materialisation of the Iran-Pakistan and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline projects, which have been on hold for long.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Vice President Munawar Mughal said shortage of natural gas in the country goes up to 50 per cent in the winter and 30 per cent during summer while gas supply and demand gap was likely to grow in the coming days.

He stressed the government should exploit all affordable options to meet the rising demand of gas and give preference to industries.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2014.