Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive committee member Raja Adeel Ashfaq has stressed the need for immediate restoration of gas supply to the Pakistan Steel Mills. Ashfaq in a statement on Monday said it is a matter of concern that Pakistan Steel Mills is completely closed because of non availability of gas but concerned government functionaries in general and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources was playing the role of silent spectators.
"The policy makers should be well aware of the fact that Pakistan Steel Mills is not only a major source of steel supply to the domestic industries but also has vital importance for defence industry. Because of closure of Pakistan Steel Mills, domestic industry is relying on imported hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanised steel. As a result huge foreign exchange is being spent in this regard, he added.
"If gas is available for CNG sector and other industries of Sindh then why not for Pakistan Steel Mills," he said. Ashfaq asked the Prime Minister to take notice of the situation and direct the authorities concerned for early restoration of gas supply. In view of massive loss of around Rs 600 billion annually being caused by the public sector enterprises (PSEs), government should take measures on war footing to make these organisations profitable, he said.
He said, "In advanced economies like the United States, United Kingdom and Japan, the role of PSEs is minimal and the private sector is the most important instrument of socio-economic development. The significance of PSEs cannot be ignored, in view of the fact that they remain the most employment-intensive and capital-intensive organisations." He suggested formation of a committee of experts from public and private sectors to revisit strategy and adopt methods which provide a new impetus to the PSEs.
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