LAHORE: Due to high electricity bills, over 15 textile mills were closed during the last three months after the federal budget 2015-16.
This was stated by newly-elected All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Punjab Chairman Amir Fayyaz during a press conference held on at APTMA House. Amir said that the Prime Minister should immediately announce the relief package for export-oriented industry otherwise more mills are planning to halt operation, as they are facing huge losses due to high energy cost.
He said the textile industry was vying for reducing it’s cost of doing business, particularly the cost of energy, which is almost 60 percent higher comparing with the regional competitors. “Electricity to the textile industry in the region is not more than 9 cent per kilowatt hour against 14.5 cent per kilowatt hour in Pakistan at present,” he added.
Aamir Fayyaz hoped that the approval of a timely relief package by the Prime Minister would lead to resurgence of the presently impaired textile industry and reaping the socio-economic benefits for the country through a strong textile industry.
The new APTMA Punjab chairman further said that group leader APTMA, Mr. Gohar Ejaz had presented a facts and figures based view of the textile industry in a highly impressive manner, which was appreciated by all the textile industry associations as well as the government. It was thought that it would all lead to a sustainable textile inclusive of all sections of the textile sector.
The APTMA chairman said the textile industry needs a congenial environment to fulfil its international commitments. It is high time for the government to announce textile exports package at the earliest, he said. He urged the government to ensure the availability of electricity and gas to the textile industry on affordable price for competing in the international marketplace.
