Industrialists urge PM to stop discrimination

MULTAN - The All Pakistan Bedsheets & Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA) on Monday strongly condemned the suspension of natural gas supply to the industry in Punjab, asking the federal government to immediately restore the supply. Addressing a news conference here, APBUMA Chairman Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah said that the suspension of gas supply was a conspiracy to ruin Punjabs industry. He warned that this step would result in complete destruction of national economy. He added that four-day consecutive gas loadshedding would leave disastrous impacts on the textile sector particularly in Punjab and in such critical situation the exporters would be unable to execute their orders by working two days a week. He said gas closure has completely destroyed not only manufacturing side but also export business resultantly millions of textile workers would be rendered jobless. He demanded Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to take notice of the situation and direct SNGPL authorities to restore gas supply to the industry in Punjab. He pointed out that around 40% industrial units in Punjab utilize gas as fuel and gas suspension has left thousands of large and medium manufacturing units with no other options but to shut their business. He asked the government to implement a uniform gas loadshedding policy in entire country and stop discriminating Punjab. Other office bearers of the association including Muhammad Iqbal Chairman of South, Mian Muhammad Arif Sheikh and Khawaja Muhammad Fazil were also present on this occasion.