LAHORE, Dec 11: Calling for an end to discrimination against industry in Punjab, industrial associations have demanded that the distribution of gas must be in accordance with the industry size and not according to the area of a province.

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) and the Pakistan Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association (PSRMA) were unanimous in apprehending that non-availability of gas for the next three months would render millions of workers jobless and aggravate the law and order situation.

Aptma Punjab Chairman SM Tanveer said, at a news conference here on Wednesday, non-availability of gas would render at least three million people jobless who had been directly or indirectly earning their livelihood from the industry.

According to PSRMA Chairman Asmat Pervaiz Malik, the gas suspension will result in the closure of 28 dependent industries of the steel sector that get raw material from the re-rolling industry.

“The worst-hit industries will include agricultural implements, sewing machines, surgical instruments, tractor spares, powerlooms, electric fans and appliances, light engineering, housing and construction,” said Mr Malik.

He said the government was claiming to create employment opportunities on the one hand but implementing the policies that were depriving people of their jobs on the other.

The Aptma leader said the gas suspension would result in a loss of $3 billion foreign exchange to the country in particular and the textile industry in general.

“The industry has a capacity to increase textile exports to $26 billion from the present $13 billion in five years, provided the uninterrupted gas supply is ensured. The industry has asked for the provision of 100mmcft of gas supply for the next three months against its daily demand of 400mmcft,” said Mr Tanveer.

“Within two years, trade deficit can be brought down to zero and inflation and price hike can be controlled if the government patronises textile industry by adopting the Aptma strategy.

“Economic development cannot be ensured without strengthening the industry. There will be no need to approach the IMF if uninterrupted energy supply is ensured to the textile industry,” he said.