The Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) has warned the government that if chemical industry is not allowed to work, the whole industrial wheel across the country will come to a halt forcing million of the industrial workers to be jobless.

Association Chairman Abrar Ahmad in a statement here Tuesday said that almost all the industries are dependent upon chemical industry for input chemicals to produce their products. The production of all essential products would stop if chemical industry does not resume operation to make input-chemicals for them, he added. Such industries include food, pharma, soap, detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, construction, power plants, water treatment plants, export oriented industries like textile, garments, cotton gloves, allied fabrics knitted & woven dyed, home care, body care, health care, sanitizers, hand wash, shampoos, laundry soap, laundry detergent powders and leather industry, he said.

He lamented that the government while permitting operation to essential industries during COVID-19 lock down, has been disregarding the significance of chemical industries' operation.

The PCMA chairman urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow the chemical industries to resume production process. However, he have assured of laying down the responsible safety protocols against COVID-19. "We are ready to restrict the permission of the required industrial operation under strict safety protocols as well as a written undertaking for strict implementation on the approved precautionary protocols," he added.