lahore
The SNGPL has announced to restore gas supply to textile industry in Punjab after suspension of around 10 days, but this restoration is partial, as the industry will be provided gas only for four hours a day.
The SNGPL will supply four hours gas supply to the Punjab textile industry’s captive power and 20 percent for processing use by Wednesday evening. It will be followed by further increase in gas supply on daily basis.
APTMA chairman SM Tanveer, addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, said that the industry will fight for 24 hours a day gas supply as stipulated in recently-announced Textile Policy 2014-19. S M Tanveer said the SNGPL had suspended gas supply to the Punjab-based textile industry on February 9 till further notice. The sudden suspension had started impacting the viability of textile industry by and large. Especially, exports orders were in doldrums due to partial closures of shift in the industry.
On the other hand, the domestic commerce also witnessing surge in import of fine count cotton yarn from India, already increased to 30,000 tons in 2013-14 against 18000 tons in 2012-13 and 6000 tons in 2011-12 respectively. Also, he added, the import of polyester manmade fiber reached to 43000 tons per annum.
He said the SDPI study has revealed that Pakistan’s domestic commerce was witnessing $1.7 billion entry of synthetic fiber through smuggling.
According to him, the Punjab textile industry was hit hard from both ends, i.e. on account of energy supply and dumping of yarn and fabric from India.
Chairman APTMA said the textile industry associations were all set to hold emergent meetings to chalk out a strategy. However, the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif intervened and understood the industry point of view, which resulted into resumption of gas supply to the Punjab-based textile industry.
He made clear that APTMA was seeking gas to ensure energy affordability for industry operations, as the Punjab-based textile mills are not getting energy at 8 cents like regional competitors. Further, he said, gas supply was not meant for APTMA members only and instead the whole textile value chain is the beneficiary of the supply.
Chairman APTMA also appreciated the newly-announced textile policy 2014-19 and expressed the hope that initiatives taken would lead to growth in textile exports. It is also impressive to note that the new textile policy also envisages 24 hours gas supply to textile industry across the board, he added.
Group leader APTMA also appreciated the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for honouring his commitment for ensuring gas supply to the Punjab-based textile industry during winter after understanding the APTMA point of view.