ISLAMABAD: Exporters of the value-added textile sector urged the government to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to the industries.

In a recent letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chairman Pakistan Apparel Forum (PAF) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said the gas moratorium on high-rise buildings should remain intact and instead adequate supply of gas be ensured to the industries.

On April 4, the government lifted ban on new gas connections for high-rise buildings. Mr Bilwani said that as a result of the decision, hundreds of skyscrapers will now be supplied with natural gas. This will affect export-oriented industries which badly require natural gas.

He further said that all over the Middle East residential complexes were being supplied with liquefied petroleum gas (LGP).

In Pakistan, the Sui gas field was discovered in 1952 and production of gas started in 1955.

The PAF chairman said that from 1955-1970, the government policy for gas utilisation was for industry and power generation. The share of household was 2 per cent in the year 1970, while the share of industry and power sector was 25pc and 36.5pc, respectively.

The policy, according to Mr Bilwani, was changed in the 1970s to supply gas to small towns and villages at a nominal rate. As a result of this change in policy, the share of gas for households swelled to 21pc, while the share of gas for industry and power sectors dropped to 23pc and 28pc, respectively.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2016