Shortage of gas causing textile industry Rs one billion losses in a month: Aptma

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Punjab Chapter senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Anees Khwaja Thursday claimed that it had to suffer losses of about Rs one billion in a month due to lack of smooth gas supply to the industry.
In addition, the association had to close about 200 textile units in Punjab and NWFP zones owing to scheduled load-management of two-day, said Aptma Punjab Vice chairman, Anees Khwaja. "The shortage of gas has inflicted the textile industry Rs 1 billion losses in one month besides forcing the association to close down about 200 units," he said.
He said the gas was not supplied to industry in accordance with the schedule already prepared by the Textile Ministry in collaboration with stakeholders. "It was decided that there would be two-day load-shedding in a week for the textile industry, however the days have now been enhanced up to four," he added. "If the shortage prolonged from 8-15 day a month, industrial sector would definitely suffer more losses, besides making further closure of textile units," he apprehended. Khawaja said that
Aptma had divided the industrial units of Punjab and NWFP in four zones to share gas loadshedding on equitable basis. An official in the Ministry of Textile admitted that there was gas disruption for some days, however added that it has been resumed now to all zones. He said that the Textile Ministry has expedited the process of implementing the textile policy for the betterment of the industry.