LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has strongly opposed the proposed gas load shedding for industry twice a week, likely to further burden exporters at a time when the European Union (EU) is giving considerable market access to Pakistan.
In a letter to the Federal Ministry Petroleum & Natural Resources, the Acting Chairman APTMA Shehzad Ali Khan said the curtailment of gas to the textile industry is unacceptable, as it would not only undermine the textile production but may also generate massive unemployment.
He said the government needs to show political will to keep the textile industry moving forward and protect thousands of textile workers from joblessness. He said each textile unit is run by on an average 500. Gas load shedding for textile industry under the proposed Gas Load Management Programme 2010-11 would effect production and industrial workforce retrenchment leading to unemployment and unrest.
Shehzad Ali Khan underlined that the textile industry would only truly exploit the recent market access granted by the EU if it is provided with consistent gas supply. He said the industry gas supply should be prioritized in a situation when the country is already passing through a very severe energy crisis. Therefore, he said, the textile industry has rejected gas curtailment plan out right and instead has demanded complete exemption from gas load shedding during winter season.
