Hundreds of textile workers took to the streets on Wednesday and protested against severe gas load shedding at the Khurrianwala Industrial Estate. Demanding gas for the factories to earn daily livelihoods, they burnt tyres and the government’s effigy in front of the Garment City. Later, they took out a procession to the Khurrianwala Chowk on the Faisalabad-Sheikhupura highway, and blocked the traffic for several hours.
The protestors said that during the month of December, gas was supplied to the factories for only six days, and they remained closed for the remaining 24 days. Faqir Muhammad, a daily wage labourer, asked how he could feed his family with six days of work in a month. “The government has to reset its priorities regarding the provision of gas, otherwise the situation will go out of control,” said another protester, calling the new gas load management plan a conspiracy against the present regime. “The discriminatory attitude of the government is not only denting its goodwill and reputation, but has put a question mark on its ability to manage and govern things,” said an industrialist protesting with workers.
