The SNGPL has cut down gas supply frequency to three and half days from five days a week to the textile industry, said Chairman APTMA Gohar Ejaz Sunday. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had directed the SNGPL to ensure five days a week supply to textile in end-February. A notification to this effect was issued accordingly on February 28, 2011.
However, he said the latest notification of March 26, 2011 is suggesting a supply cut of 3.5 days a week now. "The industry is in a state of shock," said Chairman APTMA.
Earlier, he recalled, the SNGPL had turned down directions from the Cabinet Committee on Textile and Prime Minister. "And now they have treated similarly to the directions from President," he deplored. The SNGPL has cut gas supply to textile for supplying 150MMCFD to power plants and 80MMCFD to the Engro plant, he added.
Gohar said an uninterrupted gas supply was due right of textile industry with the start of summer but it is being forced to shut 50 percent operations in a week. Textile industry is meeting a harsh treatment when it is earning $1.3 billion exports a month, he added.
"This situation would cripple down the industry altogether," he feared. Gohar has urged the SNGPL authorities to toe their commitment extended to the President Asif Ali Zardari a month back and ensure uninterrupted supply to textile industry. Otherwise, he added, the industry would have no option but to seek an intervention from the President of Pakistan.
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