All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman SM Tanveer has termed the power supply suspension from 7pm to 3am to the textile industry during Ramazan as "ironical", saying the industry has altogether rejected such an imprudent decision. "Instead of doing so, the government should suspend the power supply for 24 hours to the textile industry and save 1,500 megawatts," he said. "The government should also advice the labour of textile industry to stay at home and spend time in prayers during Ramazan."
He also said the labour colonies within the mills' premises were dependent on the power supply to the textile mills from grid stations for production activities. "A continuous supply suspension for eight hours will be horrible to labours and their families," he said. "Energy supply nowhere in the world is denied to the textile industry. It is ironical that the textile industry is crying for a special electricity tariff and the government is planning to deprive it of power supply equal to one complete shift." He said textile millers were seriously considering closing down operations and laying off millions of workers under the given circumstances. "It is becoming difficult for the association leadership to handle the members," he said. He has urged the premier and the Punjab chief Minister to settle the matter and ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.