LAHORE – Textile export target can only be achieved if gas supplies remain normal in 2011 but unfortunately industry is not getting gas, said All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman Gohar Ejaz.
He was addressing a press conference at APTMA House on Monday. He said 2011 was declared year of Textile, but unfortunately under current circumstances, it is not possible. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had convened a meeting of APTMA and SNGPL on Tuesday to avoid simmering labour unrest after Punjab mills lay off half million daily wage workers on the first day of cut in gas supplies.
APTMA office bearers said the SNGPL Managing Director had been given extension in his service till further others effectively ensuring he had toes the line given by the federal government or go home.
They wondered as to how gas load shedding could increase to five days a week when the weather was much pleasant than severe cold months of December and January when the gas supply to industries was cut by three days a week. They said SNGPL had not notified any reduction in gas production.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Chairman Gohar Ejaz was hopeful that the gas supplies would restored after meeting with the president.
He said the mills were bearing the cost of over 1.5 million regular workers as they remained closed due to gas cut. However he regretted around half million daily wage workers could not be engaged due to stoppage of all gas related production function.
