FAISALABAD, June 2: The All-Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (Aptma) has expressed its concern and dismay over the recent 14 per cent increase in gas price for industrial consumers and termed it a ‘disaster’. Aptma Chairman Shaikh Ayub and other office-bearers talking to press here on Thursday said the textile processing sector had already been facing financial problems and tough competition in world market.

They pointed out that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had enhanced the gas price for industrial consumers from Rs172.26 MMBTU to Rs182.09 on July 1, 2004, from Rs182.09 to Rs197.11 on Feb 2, 2005 while another increase of 5.52 per cent has been proposed from July 1, 2005.

They said despite repeated requests, neither the Ogra nor the petroleum ministry had tried to understand the gravity of the situation. They demanded that the prime minister should direct the Ogra not to increase gas tariff for the textile sector.