Pakistan Govt Has Withdrawn Its Summary on Suspending Gas Supply to Textile Mills

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan has withdrawn its summary on suspending gas supply to textile mills in the state of Punjab during winter season, owing to the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association's (APTMA) decision to reduce its demand for gas supply during the season.

The APTMA trimmed its demand for gas supply during winter season from 450 millions of cubic feet per day (mmcfd) to 100 mmcfd, which is a drastic reduction that pushed the Ministry to withdraw summary for complete supply suspension to Punjab-based textile mills, reports Business Recorder.

The decision came after a detailed meeting of APTMA leaders with the Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

APTMA leader Gohar Ejaz and APTMA Punjab chairman S M Tanveer had led a 20 member delegation to make an effective representation for seeking uninterrupted gas supply during extreme winter so that Punjab-based textile industry is able to produce textile goods predominantly meant for exports.

Last month, the Pakistani textile industry raised concerns over the three month gas curtailment plan of the Government during winter, stating it would result into shutdown of many factories producing textiles.

Nearly 80 percent of textile industries of Pakistan are located in Punjab, employing over 15 million people in the country. Gas supply to textile mills in the state has reduced drastically from 302 days in 2008 to 114 days in 2013.