Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain has assured four days a week uninterrupted gas supply to the textile industry in Punjab during winters, which may further be enhanced to five days a week with the entry of 200MMCFD in the system sooner than later.
He was talking to the APTMA members at the APTMA Punjab office along with group leader Gohar Ejaz. Chairman APTMA, Mohsin Aziz participated in the meeting through a video conference from Peshawar.
The Federal Minister said that he has asked the ANV companies (working on exploration of gas) to increase production up to 200MMCFD for three months to meet gas shortage for textile industry during winter.
It may be noted that the textile industry in Punjab had strong apprehensions of 90 days gas supply cut during winter. However, the minister dispelled the impression and made clear that the four days a week gas supply would continue uninterrupted, followed by five days a week gas supply accordingly.
He said that a number of measures including, gas infrastructure surcharge, gas theft act, levy on domestic LPG and end of price distortion have been taken to streamline gas supply to the consumers, particularly the textile industry. The federal minister also stated categorically that the CNG stations are proving a burden on industrial growth as they are consuming textile industry gas.
According to him, 500MMCFD shale gas would be part of the system within two years in result of further explorations. Dr Asim said that he would be in a position to share good news with the nation about new gas explorations in Sindh within the next 10 days.
He said the system was producing 29 trillion MMCFD gas at present, having a potential of 79 trillion MMCFD in future.
Earlier, Chairman APTMA Mohsin Aziz highlighted the role of textile industry in Pakistan economy in his welcome address. He said that Punjab was the house of 60% of the textile industry and any gas curtailment would end up on joblessness, followed by socio-economic problems. Rana Arif Tauseef from Pakistan Textile Exports Association proposed to the minister for gas supply for processing units on quota basis in order to run generators on gas. He said that the processors would shift boilers to alternate fuel during winter gas load management plan.
Group leader APTMA, Gohar Ejaz urged the APTMA members to give a standing ovation to the federal minister. He said that the industry was looking forward to the government to keep its operations intact during next three months. Shahzad Ali Khan, Chairman Energy Committee APTMA, paid vote of thanks on the occasion.
