LAHORE: The textile millers have severely criticised the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited’s (SNGPL) decision of disconnecting gas supply to the industry and warned against massive unemployment after implementation of the decision.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab chairman, addressing a press conference, said that gas supply to the textile mills in Punjab was 25 per cent in November, which reduced to 17 per cent in last week of November and now they have issued a letter of zero gas supply.
He pointed out that the actual gas consumption of textile industry in the province is equal to 60 MMCFD, which is 5 per cent of 1,200 MMCFD. He said that already 200,000 textile workers have lost jobs in last five years and after implementation of the decision, the workers would not be able to run their kitchens.
He also criticised the government for 40% reduction in cotton crop, saying that there was no proper research, which has resulted into supply of substandard seed to farmers.
“The government has blamed the weather for crop failure instead of conceding its failure,” he deplored and stated that APTMA was paying Rs 700 million annually for research on cottonseed, which is of no use.
He said some 40 mills have already been closed down during last four months but the promises made by both the prime minister and finance minister have not seen the daylight yet. He said the government has imposed Rs 40 billion new taxes on the IMF instruction against a loan of $500 million while the textile industry has lost $800 million exports.
