Export orders to the tune of billions of rupees are in jeopardy due to the massive load shedding and suspension of gas supply to the export-oriented industries, particularly in Punjab. Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Central Chairman Sajid Saleem Minhas expressed extreme concern over suspension of gas and electricity to the textile industry, continuously for the last several days causing large-scale shut down of garment units and textile industry, especially in Punjab. Minhas said with the current duty free ATP agreement with EU for the garment and textile sector, it had seemed that the garment industry was poised for a healthy growth in exports and an addition of about 100,000 new jobs was expected. The current tragedy of complete suspension of gas and electricity to textile industry in Punjab and very erratic supply in other provinces has started to have an effect on the garment industry as a whole. The textile mills are not in a position to honour delivery dates and have further reduced the price validity of fabric quotation to a few hours. It has become harder to match last year figures let alone benefit from the ATPs. It is essential that the supplies are restored immediately, he said. He said the textile industry in Punjab was losing $20-30 million a day due to the suspension of gas and electricity.
