FAISALABAD, Jan 12: The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FCCI) and the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) have agreed on carrying out scheduled loadshedding of gas supply to industrial units.

The understanding was reached at a meeting between representatives of industrialists and acting general manager of the SNGPL at FCCI President Asim Khursheed’s office here on Saturday.

Business and industry tycoons vent their ire over the unannounced suspension of gas, saying that the persistent crises of gas and power outages were hampering their mercantile activities.

Different industries like sizing, hosiery and textile processing, ghee mills, soap industry, steel manufacturing and iron foundries and looms and garments manufacturing units were on the verge of a collapse, which might result in affecting the country’s exports, they added.

They said that they were cognisant of the fact that the country was facing an acute shortage of gas and power so they were ready to cooperate with departments concerned.

The need of the hours was that both sides should sit together and evolve a strategy to chuck out this chaotic situation. They also stressed immediate execution of Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

SNGPL acting general manager Mohammad Ikram apprised the participants of the severity of the gas crisis and said the country was facing a 600 million cubic feet shortfall.

However, he said, the company was trying its best to ensure smooth supply to consumers, particularly industrialists.

He assured the entrepreneurs that the SNGPL officials would chalk out a loadshedding schedule in consultation with businessmen on a daily-basis and it would be dispatched to the FCCI in advance.