KARACHI: Low gas pressure from Sui Sourthern Gas Company (SSGC) to Karachi’s industrial areas for the last one week was severly impacting production and export shipments.

Exporters on Friday urged the Ministry of Energy to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest.

President Site Association of Industry (SAI), Suleman Chawla said the area has been facing zero gas pressure since September 14, followed by electricity load shedding.

He demanded the government to accord first priority to industries by ensuring provision of power, gas and water in required quantities.

“The government should give clear instructions to the SSGC for ensuring gas supply to industries with required pressure,” he added.

Pakistan Tanners Association Chairman Sheikh Afzal Hussain said Sector 7-A of Korangi Industrial Area was deprived of gas for the last one week.

Water supply, sewerage system in shambles

“Leather exports are already facing a decline for the last six months, particulary since the pandemic made its way to the country.

“Recently export orders were received but member exporters are unfortunately facing gas supply issues. This will negatively impact the leather exports sector,” he added.

Hussain urged Minister for Energy and Petroleum Omer Ayub Khan to issue orders to the gas company for restoring uninterrupted gas supply with certain pressure for meeting timely export shipments.

President Employers’ Federation of Pakistan Ismail Suttur said that despite repeated requests by stakeholders for days over record low-pressure ahead of winters, SSGC failed to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, SSGC spokesman Safdar Hussain said gas fields were supplying less due to depletion and the utility is facing a shortfall of 100-200mmcfd these days.

He said once the supply situation is restored the situation will return to normal.

Kati issues

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) President Shiekh Umer Rehan has urged Minister of Sindh Local Bodies Syed Nasir Hussain Shah to take immediate notice of deteriorating water supply and sewerage infrastructure in the industrial area.

He said many sectors in the industrial area are inunadted with sewerage water and numerous industries have been deprived of water supply.

“Sector 23 and 15 in Kati are facing severe sewerage issues since years. Water supply situation has also been the worst in the area,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2020