KARACHI: As textile exporters continue to face gas shortages, Sindh Government Spokesperson and Adviser to Chief Minister Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday urged the federal government to immediately resolve gas shortage issues being faced by Karachi-based industrialists.

Addressing Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) members on Tuesday, he said that Sindh has first right on the gas which is discovered from the province but the federation has deprived the city and province of this right.

He said that industry is our top priority and Sindh government is ready to provide any assistance to resolve their issues. Wahab claimed that the federal government only provided Rs350 billion for Karachi Transformation package, which doesn’t match PTI representation from Karachi.

He announced that a successful pilot project of palm oil plantation has started and production of oil on trial basis would begin soon. Meanwhile, he said the Malir Expressway would be inaugurated next month whereas a 30 MDG water line for Karachi south would also be established soon.

He also agreed to legislate for combine affluent plant for Karachi Industrial Area. Kati President Sheikh Umer Rehan informed Wahab that the industrial production is facing a setback due to interruption in gas supply which could prove disastrous for country’s economy.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chief Coordinator and Former Central Chairman Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said textile related units have been facing low gas pressure for the last 22 days as industries were producing 60 per cent less goods which would lead to decline in exports in September.

He claimed that Karachi-based exporters are not taking new export orders due to gas crisis.

Owing to low gas pressure, generators producing electricity are shutting down causing faults in machinery, electronic equipment and machinery programs are getting damaged due to power fluctuation and labor is sitting idle, he lamented.

He urged the federal government to issue orders to the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd for supplying uninterrupted gas supply to the textile export industries for meeting their timely export shipment schedule.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2020