Uninterrupted electricity supply to the textile mills on independent feeders in Punjab is being restored with effect from 6th February 2013, said Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab Shahzad Ali Khan Monday.
The Ministry of Water & Power had assured of restoring electricity supply to textile mills in Punjab in first week of February. The matter was brought to the notice of President Asif Ali Zardari by the Group Leader APTMA Gohar Ejaz on telephone who immediately took notice and directed concerned authorities to honour the commitment without delay. Accordingly, the Ministry assured of restoring the supply from February 6 onwards.
It may be noted that the APTMA leadership including Group Leader Gohar Ejaz, Central Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir, and zonal leadership both from Punjab and Sindh called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi to brief him the problems faced by the industry in Punjab due to complete shut down since December 22, 2012. The APTMA leader told the President that the Ministry had suspended power supply on December 22 completely and dishonoured its assurance with the Prime Minister of supply 16 hours a day electricity from 1st of January 2013.
President directed the Ministry to ensure 16 hours power supply without delay and further required uninterrupted power supply for 24 hours a day in first week of February when additional generation would be added to the system with restoration of hydel generation. The Ministry, later on, followed the instructions in letter and spirit and kept on supply electricity for two shifts to the mills in Punjab.
However, there would be no need of closing one shift from 6th February onwards as there would be uninterrupted power supply to the textile mills on independent feeders in Punjab. This uninterrupted power supply will help the industry to operate 24/7 and add more to the exports and employment of the country.
Chairman APTMA Punjab said the APTMA management has welcomed the decision and lauded the President Asif Ali Zardari for showing concerns about problems of the textile industry. He said the industry assures the President of coming up to the expectations of the government so far as increase in exports and employment generation is concerned.
