LAHORE, April 21: A delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) on Sunday apprised Caretaker Minister for Water and Power Dr Musadik Malik of the plight of the textile industry in the wake of unprecedented gas and electricity loadshedding.

Comprising central leaders of Aptma, the delegation informed the minister that the textile industry had been fighting for its survival due to inequitable supply of energy.

A spokesman said the delegation members informed the minister that in spite of having capacity to produce 13,500MW electricity, some 9,500MW were being produced. The textile industry was being subjected to 12 to 14 hours loadshedding and getting gas for only three days a week. “Gas shortages look unjustifiable in current high temperatures.”

Disconnection of electricity supply to independent industry-specific feeders had added to the woes of the textile industry that has been left with no option but to suffer production losses to the tune of millions of rupees daily as it has no alternate option to run its operation, the delegation informed the minister who was accompanied by the federal secretary for water and power besides senior officers of Pepco and Lesco.

The delegation members said lack of energy had crippled the Punjab-based textile industry altogether, hitting hard to the employment, export and efficient contribution of textile industry to the national GDP.

The Aptma leaders urged the minister to take personal interest to ensure uninterrupted gas and electricity supply to the textile industry.

Minister Malik invited the Aptma delegation again on Monday (today) to further discuss the situation and to find remedial measures.