Addressing a joint press conference held here on Monday Senior Vice President of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Khawaja Muhammad Usman, Chairman of All Pakistan Bedsheets & Upholstery Manufacturer Association (APBUMA) Muhammad Anees Khawaja, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma)'s spokesman Khawaja Muhammad Younas, All Pakistan Handloom & Traditional Textile Manufacturer & Exporters Association (APHTMEA), Chairman Shaikh Muhammad Tayyab, Mian Arif said.
Suspension of gas supply and long-hour power load shedding may cause of eruption of lawlessness and agitation, which can be harmful for the development of the country. They got their protest registered against the suspension of gas to textile industry of Multan region. They said that the textile sector is the mainstay of our economy and contributes more than 60 percent in foreign exchange and alone employs 40 percent workforce. Despite its significance government always neglected it and created problems for this sector.
They informed that amid acute shortage of electricity, which is contrary to the decision of cabinet committee on gas load management the supply of gas is also suspended by the SNGPL authorities. Over the severe protest and agitation in Faisalabad and Lahore, we have learnt that the gas load management is rescheduled as 10 days for Faisalabad, 15 days for Lahore and 30 days for Multan region, they added.
They were of the view that Multan is hub of cotton production and value-added textile products and contributes in the development of the country. Owing to the current gas crisis, the entire textile industry is at stand still. The schedule of gas load management is not acceptable to the industry of this region as it unjustifiable, biased and discriminatory.
"Government must listen to our request and textile sector in Multan must be granted its due share in supply, before the people of the city come out on the roads and uncontrollable violence erupts" they added. They were of the view that just to escape the agitation in Lahore and Faisalabad, Multan is being made scapegoat.
APBUMA Chairman said that in the current circumstances export target of $25 billion has become unrealistic, as the export has already declined to $9.196 mark, which was $9.24 in the same period of last year. He urged the government to resolve their issues as they do not believe in violence and agitation.
Khawaja Muhammad Younus who was representing Aptma said that textile sector is already suffering due to diversion of business to our competitors like Bangladesh, India, & China owing to current of law & order conditions. "Foreign buyer are not ready to visit Pakistan for business negotiations due to suicide blasts, which have become part of daily life. He said that our industry, which is already under such pressure due to the recent energy crunch and where the electric shortfall has widened more than 3500MW and supply of gas is halted, would act as catalyst in the destruction process going on.
Sheikh Muhammad Tayyab, Chairman All Pakistan Handloom and Traditional Textile Manufacturer and Exporters Association (APHTMEA) said that it proved that voice for the rightful is not listening till the daily life is paralysed by the agitation and strikes. They all appealed to the government to intervene and explain the criteria for supplying the gas to the industry of Faisalabad and Lahore, however, they assured the government that they would help it to cope with the situation amicably.