December 16, 2021: Chairman APTMA Mr. Abdul Rahim Nasir has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene immediately for the restoration of energy, both electricity, and gas, supply to the textile industry, said a press release issued today.

He said the Ministry of Energy has abruptly suspended gas supply to the gas connection of the textile sector whether cogen or not. This disruption in gas supply coupled with a sudden drop in temperature and high moisture in the air has led to massive tripping of 132Kv transmission lines in the industrial hubs.

Non-availability of both electricity and gas has chocked the production activity of the textile industry especially in Punjab and mills have started closing down their operations at the cost of losing export orders and retrenchment of labour. 

Rahim Nasir added that the textile millers are running from pillar to post in search of energy while the relevant departments are inattentive to the issue as usual, therefore, APTMA has no option but to request the honorable chief executive of the country for an immediate rescue.

Rahim said that the Punjab-based industry was hit with a double whammy, i.e., an increase in gas tariff from $6.5 to $9/MMBTU and load shedding of gas. He lamented that the industry in Punjab is being discriminated against by other provinces, which would be detrimental to the overall growth of the national economy in the long run.

He said 70 percent of the textile industry is based in Punjab and suspension of gas may bring it to a complete halt. It would also impact the country’s exports negatively, which had witnessed robust growth during the last year and fetched fresh investment to the sector.

Meanwhile, he said, as many as 96 extensions of load/new electricity connection cases of APTMA member mills ae pending with Power Distribution Companies. Besides, there are serious power supply quality issues hindering the smooth operations of mills.

However, no corrective measures have been taken despite the fact that the member mills have shared their interruption reports with relevant Discos. The present tripping of 132Kv transmission line in the industrial clusters due to thick fog has added insult to injury and the APTMA members are left helpless.

Rahim Nasir has apprehended that the textile industry would be unable to deliver goods on order which would lead to permanent loss as the industry would fail to honour commitments with international buyers. He reminded that the order once lost is lost forever and it would be extremely difficult for the industry to reverse the situation. 

Chairman APTMA has expressed the hope that the Honorable Prime Minister would take stock of the situation and issue directions to the concerned ministries for restoration of gas supply to the textile industry.

Press Release

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