ISLAMABAD: Fifteen days gas supply suspension in Punjab has deprived textile industry of exports worth $250 million in the month of December 2021 alone.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has disclosed this in a letter written to Energy Ministry, demanding interrupted gas supply to avoid more losses.
Keeping in view this situation, the Ministry of Energy has restored gas for textile industry with effect from December 29. After winter season, the Ministry has promised with APTMA to ensure maximum supply of gas to boost textile exports in 2022.
At present, according to APTMA, textile sector is getting less than 75mmcfd gas despite the fact that the industry is purchasing gas at $9/per MMBTU, instead of $6.5 mmcfd announced for the winter season.
Ministry of Commerce too has noted gas shortage for export industries in Punjab and said that gas crisis was leading to losses to the industry.
In a letter sent to Adviser to PM on Commerce and Textiles Abdul Razak Dawood, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed serious concerns over gas shortage and losses to mills.
APTMA said, “Each interruption wastes half an hour and up to two hours in restarting the machinery, leading to loss of material and production capacity as well.”
Association further stated that mills were running at 80% capacity, which would cause more or less 20% loss of exports.
