Industry captains are set to suggest way forward on energy security to the government, to be finalised at the APTMA Punjab office on Friday (today) with Gohar Ejaz in the chair. It may be noted that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had desired from Gohar Ejaz last Saturday to advise the federal cabinet on how the government could overcome energy crisis after consulting the industry stakeholders.
Accordingly, a special task force on energy has been set up under the leadership of Gohar Ejaz and represented by the industry stakeholders from chemicals, fertiliser and power sectors. This task force would devise a roadmap to address the energy shortage faced by the industrial sector of country.
The Prime Minister has desired finalisation of recommendations from the task force within six days. The very first meeting of the task force would be held at APTMA Punjab office. The task force would recommend the way forward to overcome the gas shortage of up to 1000MMCFD during winter and 500MMCFD during summer on SNGPL network to keep industry wheel running throughout the year. Representatives from industrial stakeholders would finalise recommendations on uninterrupted gas supply to industry, fertiliser and power sectors.
The textile industry has suffered gas suspension for 180 days from January 2011 till date, losing image as a reliable supplier in the world market. Consequently, the textile exports are already affected by about $2 billion in the first six months of current fiscal. At present gas supply to textile industry is completely suspended, impacting production, exports and employment.
Gohar Ejaz said both the industry and the government have got together to chalk out a joint strategy on gas supply to industry on the SNGPL network. According to him, the task force would advise the government how it can manage uninterrupted gas supply of 600MMCFD, 240MMCFD and 150MMCFD to general industry and textile, fertiliser and power sectors, respectively throughout the year within six months.
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