Three-month gas supply disruption: textile industry sounds alarm bell of massive closure

Textile industry have sounded alarm bell of massive closure of industries in Faisalabad as a result of upcoming disruption of gas supply for three months. The act is termed as a deliberate attempt to close down the industries in the country. Industry will not only suffer but also the government would be the loser on many counts.
Addressing a huge joint press conference of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), All Pakistan Bed-sheet and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA), All Pakistan Textile Sizing Industries Association (APTSA), Khurrianwala Industrial Estate Association (KIEA) and Loom Owners Association, Chairman PTEA Sheikh Ilyas Mahmood strongly rejected the gas supply cut to industries and termed it an industry closure plan.
He said that non-serious attitude of the government is the basic reason of the problem, which is hitting the country's textile industry, which has an annual export turnover of 13.8 billion dollars and employs 15 million of workers. Severe shortage of gas would plunge the textile exports into disaster. It is likely to effect over 450 industrial units and millions of workers and this would create industrial unrest.
He called on the government to take steps to ensure adequate gas supply for the textile industry, and added that a textile mill can function viably only if it remains operational round the clock throughout the year. Today the situation has become worse and under the circumstances it is very difficult for the industry to keep its wheels operations. Textile industry is the backbone of the country; but the government is looking not serious to provide basis needs to industry.
We fear a massive cut in our export targets due to the present crises, he added. The government needs to adopt political will to keep the textile industry moving and protect thousands of textile workers from joblessness. PTEA Chairman ascribed the gas shedding to mismanagement, lack of appropriate planning, irresponsibility and inefficiency of the management and administration of the utility service suppliers. Gas supply to textile industry was reduced to 114 days in 2013 Pakistan is in dire need of enhancing exports to provide some cushion to its sagging economy; however, due to such negative factors, exports are suffering, he said. PTEA urged the government to take urgent move to tackle this issue in a proper way.