0
LAHORE: Government's failure to restore gas supply to the industry in Punjab even after 25 days has led to closure of hundreds of small to large factories.
Industry sources told Dawn on Wednesday that at least four million daily wagers had already lost their jobs because of industrial closures in the province.
The industry had faced 16 day gas cuts during the month of January last year. Gas supply to the industry in Punjab this year remained suspended for more than 170 days, up from 60 days in 2008.
The business community is critical of the Punjab government for its failure to take up case of the province's industry with the federal government.
'The provincial rulers appear to be more interested in settling political scores with the federal government than raising the issue of gas cuts that has put our survival at stake,' said a businessman, who attended business leaders meetings with Mr Sharif recently.
The petroleum minister,who had detailed meetings on Jan 6 with SNGPL authorities and business leaders during his daylong stay in the city to defuse the situation, promised to increase gas supply to industrial consumers in the province to three and a half days a week later on, if permitted by weather.
The commitment was repeated by Punjab Governor Latif Khosa during his meeting with the province's business community representatives a day later after another protest sit-in organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry outside his official residence.
The governor had been directed by President Asif Zardari to organise a meeting between the minister and the Aptma leaders for finding a solution to the crisis.
The SNGPL authorities say it would be impossible for the utility to restore gas to the industry unless temperature rise reducing the domestic demand of the fuel.
Gas shortages in Punjab are rising for the last four years with the industry bearing the brunt of the government's failure to address theissue.
