Gas supply was restored partially to the textile industry by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) after spreading panic by announcing gas suspension for indefinite period last Sunday. Textile industry sources said partial supply of gas was restored to the industrial units situated at the Sheikhupura road and Multan road respectively. In addition, gas was supplied to the textile units in Faisalabad region.
Earlier, Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), Gohar Ejaz rushed to Islamabad, on Tuesday morning, after addressing a fiery press conference on Monday evening where he issued a seven-day ultimatum before adopting an extreme step. However, no details were available about his meetings in Islamabad. Sources said Ejaz held meetings with ministry of textile officials to brief them about the negation of Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) decision of twice a week gas load shedding for the textile industry of Punjab.
Sources close to Aptma leadership pointed out that Aptma chairman was not satisfied with partial restoration of gas and said he would not compromise with the situation until ECC decision of twice a week gas load shedding is implemented in letter and spirit.
Troubled by the situation, textile industry circles told Business Recorder that they have been calling SNGPL and Aptma office throughout the day for getting details about the restoration of gas supply to industry. According to them, there was partial restoration of gas supply to the textile mills at Multan-Manga Mandi Road and Sheikhupura Road. However, mills located at Raiwind Road were denied gas supply. Similarly, situation was quite dismal so far as gas supply to textile mills in Multan region is concerned.
Meanwhile, SNGPL sources said gas supply is likely to be improved during public holidays for Ashura Moharram, ie on December 16 and 17 respectively. They added that gas supply to textile industry would improve further as pressure eases down on the demand side.