Sudden and unscheduled load-shedding of gas has pushed the value added textile sector at the verge of collapse and in this connection the government must take immediate steps to ensure gas supply with proper pressure in order to cater to the needs of the industry.
Commenting on the loadshedding of gas during the hottest season of summer, Muhammad Amjad Khwaja Senior Vice Chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone here on Tuesday said that quota of 300 MMCFD has been allocated for the domestic and industrial sector of Faisalabad, out of it, 150 MMCFD is for domestic consumers and remaining for the industrial sector but at present Faisalabad is getting only 115 MMCFD gas which is 60 percent less than its total allocated quota. He further said that government gives priority to domestic consumers as and when gas shortage is surfaced. He said that the value added textile sector that earns precious foreign exchange in addition to providing millions of jobs opportunities is totally ignored despite of its economic importance.
He further said that low pressure has actually crippled the value added textile sector as they can neither run their boilers nor fabric finishing machines. He said that they can arrange alternative fuel for the boilers but the fabric finishing machines are specially designed for gas and cannot be run on any other fuel. He said that the shortage of gas has reduced their productivity to almost zero and they are unable to fulfill the export orders.
He further said that SNGPL is getting 35 percent gas from its own system while remaining shortage of 65 percent is being fulfilled from RLNG. He told that out of this gas 50 percent is provided to IPP's and fertilizer sector to fulfill the demand of electricity and fertilizers. The remaining 50 percent is being injected for domestic and industrial consumer and out of these; the government gives priority to the domestic consumers. He said that the shortage of gas has pushed the value added textile sector in deep crisis which will also foment unemployment in the country. He stressed upon the government to supply gas with sufficient pressure so that the value added sector could run its boiler and fabric finishing machines. He warned that if the gas shortage continued, it will further widened trade deficit while the unemployment will further deteriorate the law and order situation in the country. He said that government and ministry of petroleum and gas should take immediate remedial measures to fulfill the minimum demand of value added textile sector to save national economy from the total collapse.