Textile industry: Minister pledges four days a week gas supply

The Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain, has pledged of four days a week uninterrupted gas supply to the textile industry in Punjab during winter, which may further be enhanced to five days a week with entry of 200 mmcfd in the system sooner than later. He was talking Aptma members at the Aptma Punjab office along with group leader Gohar Ejaz. Aptma Chairman Mohsin Aziz participated in the meeting through video-con from Peshawar.
The Minister said he had asked the ANV companies (working on exploration of gas) to increase production to 200 mmcfd for three months to meet gas shortage for textile industry during winter. It may be noted that the textile industry in Punjab had strong apprehensions of 90 days' gas supply cut during winter. However, the minister dispelled the impression and made clear that the four days a week gas supply would continue uninterrupted, followed by five days a week gas supply accordingly.
He said that a number of measures, including gas infrastructure surcharge, gas theft act, levy on domestic LPG, and end of price distortion, have been taken to streamline gas supply to the consumers, particularly the textile industry. The minister categorically stated that the CNG stations are proving a burden on industrial growth as they are consuming textile industry gas.
According to him, 500 mmcfd shale gas would be part of the system within two years as a result of further explorations. Asim said he would be in a position to share good news with the nation about new gas finds in Sindh within next 10 days. He said the system was producing 29 trillion mmcfd gas at present, having a potential of 79 trillion mmcfd in future.
Earlier, Aptma Chairman Mohsin Aziz highlighted the role of textile industry in Pakistan's economy in his address of welcome. He said Punjab was the home of 60 percent of the textile industry and any gas curtailment would end up on joblessness, followed by socio-economic problems. Arif Tauseef from Pakistan Textile Exports Association proposed to the minister for gas supply to processing units on quota basis to run generators on gas. He said the processors would shift boilers to alternative fuel during winter gas load management plan.
Aptma Group leader Gohar Ejaz urged the Aptma members to give standing ovation to the minister. He said the industry was looking at the government with a big hope to keep its operations intact during next three months. Shahzad Ali, chairman of Aptma energy committee, presented vote of thanks on the occasion.