LAHORE: SM Tanveer, the chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) on Wednesday said that 70 percent of yarn is being imported in Pakistan through India due to the shortage of energy, inflicting heavy losses to the local industry.
He said this while calling off strike, following the restoration of gas supplies for four hours a day to textile industry of Punjab at a press conference at APTMA office here.
Textile industry was denied gas supply by the government which brought textile industry’s activities to a grinding halt.
Tanveer said that India exported 6000 tons of yarn to Pakistan in 2009-2011 which has reached 30000 tons now only because of the shortage of electricity and gas.
If the local industry is provided with uninterrupted and cheaper gas and electricity, it will not only meet local needs but will also earn important foreign exchange for country by exporting the yarn.
Tanveer while appreciating the restoration of gas supply for four hours to textile industry of Punjab thanked the Prime Minister, CM Punjab, Finance and Textile Ministers and hoped that the government will gradually increase cheaper gas supply to Punjab textile industry for 24 hour a day.
APTMA Group leader Ejaz Gohar was also present on the occasion.
