All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) will hold protest demonstrations in front of Chief Minister's House, Wapda House and SNGPL office on Wednesday (December 9) against the power load shedding and disconnection of gas supply to textile mills that forced closure of around 100 textile units.
Aptma chairman, Akber Sheikh told reporters here on Saturday that due to non supplying of gas and electricity crisis the textile mills owners are facing huge losses and most of them are now not in a position to even pay the utility bills.
He appealed to Caretaker Prime Minister to spare some time for a meeting with the representatives of the textile industry. Aptma senior vice-chairman Shahid Mazharpuri and vice chairman Khawaja Anees were also present on the occasion.
Akber Sheikh said almost 300 mills in the province remained closed for most time of the day during last week with 70 percent loss of production. 'The government's anti industry policies have pushed the trade deficit to $16 billion and the industry has collapsed under the burden of first cost of energy and now lack of energy and cost of bank loans,' he added.
"In a meeting with MD Pepco, it was decided to restrict the electricity load shedding to 5 hours a day and to ensure smooth supply during rest of the day, but Lesco has failed to supply power according to the agreement", he added.
He maintained that SNGPL was meeting out step-motherly treatment to the textile industry, including spinning, weaving, garments, by disconnecting their supply. He said that SNGPL, on one hand was giving more and more connections to the consumers, while on other side it failed to ensure smooth supply to the consumers, urging it to avoid to give more connections and improve its consumers. He said Aptma delegation would go to Wapda House and present its demands to authorities of the utility.