LAHORE, Dec 15: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) stopped supply to about 40-42 captive power plants (CPP) for an indefinite period in Sheikhupura and on Sheikhupura-Faisalabad and Gujranwala roads on Thursday, forcing closure of industrial units in the area.

Former All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), Punjab, senior vice-chairman Adil Mehmood claimed that the gas company had stopped supply without any prior notice to the industry, forcing around 150 units, mostly export-oriented textile and chemical industries, to shut down their production. He told Dawn that the public utility had stopped gas supply for all kind of use.

He said these industrial units had never received any prior notice from the gas company. It was strange that the company always stops gas supply to industries in Sheikhupura and on Sheikhupura-Faisalabad Road. “Why doesn’t it stop supply to the industrial units on Raiwind Road,” he asked, implying that some powerful politicians from the ruling party have their industrial units on Raiwind Road.

Mr Mehmood also questioned the SNGPL decision to stop gas supply, saying there appeared to be no reason for this action. He said the export-oriented industries, especially textile units, would have to suffer huge losses due to the SNGPL action. “We will not be able to execute our export orders on time. On the one hand, the government wants us to increase exports and on the other hand, our cheap energy requirements are not met,” he added.

However, SNGPL officials said the supply had been cut only to the CPP. They also claimed that the company had given a notice to its industrial customers in the area a couple of months ago, asking them to make alternate arrangements for a three-month period from Dec to Feb.

The officials said the company was forced to stop gas supply to the industry because of the rise in domestic demand. “We make contracts with the industry for the supply of gas for nine months in view of increased domestic demand in winter. They are asked to make alternate arrangement. We will resume the supply to them as soon as demand decreases,” they add.