KARACHI: Industry leadership on Monday claimed that the majority of units, especially in the export-oriented sectors, in Karachi kept their production operations suspended to protest a massive hike in gas tariffs.

However, many industries and textile-related units continued their normal activities despite the shutdown calls given by the trade and industrial associations, sources said.

Some major textile units in various industrial zones kept their normal production and export activities, they added. A staffer working in a leading textile manufacturer/exporter unit at Landhi told Dawn that “we are open.”

Defending the situation, All Industrial Allia­nce Chief Coordinator Jawed Bilwani claimed 80-90 per cent of total units in some industrial zones remained closed on Monday.

“All the industries falling under the umbrella of 11 textile export-related associations have obser­ved no production day,” said Mr Bilwani, adding that there are 11 industrial areas including Kotri, Lasbela, Noori­abad and Hyderabad in addition to seven industrial estates in Karachi.

“Industrial Associa­ti­ons do not have 100 per cent membership of various industries. As a result, we cannot claim complete closure of industries,” he said.

On future course of action, he said “the stakeholders have decided to wait for two to three days. In case we do not get any positive response from the government to resolve the gas tariff issue, we may extend the shutdown of industries for a week.”

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2023