APTMA demands proper gas, power supply to mills

LAHORE: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed concern over disruption of gas supply to its member mills in March, which it says 搃s against all contractual commitments.?br>An APTMA spokesman said: 揟he disruption is making survival of the industry even more difficult.?He appealed to the Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum, Dr Asim Hussain, and the secretary of the ministry of petroleum and natural resources to take note of the plight of the industry located in Punjab which was being destroyed by the shortage of gas and electricity.The APTMA also requested the government to review its policy of new gas connections to all sectors. 揟he government is creating an additional demand of 200 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) every year for a commodity whose shortage is already destroying the industry.?br>He said the textile industry, already facing severe crisis due to high cost of production, 搃s now being further burdened on account of disruption of gas supply and consequent production losses.?br>He reminded the government that textile exports have already gone down by 8 to 10 per cent in dollar terms in February over the previous year and urged it to ensure a smooth and trouble-free supply of gas and electricity to the industry.He also requested the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) to follow the government抯 policy for according due priority to the export-oriented textile industry.