All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab Chairman Aamir Fayyaz on Wednesday thanked the government for supplying 24/7 gas to the textile industry on affordable price.
“Punjab-based textile industry is thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for ensuring availability of gas on affordable price,” he added.
Speaking to the media during visit of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Managing Director Amjad Latif to APTMA Punjab office, he said the energy flow to Punjab-based textile industry was intact in Punjab after a period of six years. “The availability as well as affordability of energy was a big issue for the Punjab-based textile industry. We appreciate the government for ensuring 24/7 gas supply to the industry,” he asserted.
The APTMA Punjab chairman said that textile industry, particularly in Punjab, was facing a great disadvantage in the region and it was not able to compete with other competitors, however, the gas availability would now enable them to meet the challenges. “I am hopeful that this supply of gas will continue uninterrupted in future as well,” he added.
Aamir Fayyaz claimed that the industry exports could be doubled in next few years from USD 13 billion to USD 26 billion subject to an uninterrupted energy supply on affordable rate. It would also generate employment that might reach to 30 million from existing 15 million direct and indirect jobs, he commented.