SIALKOT, May 17: All the main trade bodies have expressed their grave concern over the hours long daily unscheduled loadshedding which is badly affecting business activities and sought exemption from outages for the city.

During a special meeting held here on Thursday at Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA) here, trade organisations reviewed the existing power crisis and its impact on industries.

PSGMEA chairman Prof Sheikh Safdar Sandal, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) central chairman Ejaz A. Khokhar, and office-bearers of Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association (SIMA), Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA), Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) participated in the meeting.

They said the hours long unscheduled loadshedding was badly affecting exports of sports goods, surgical instruments and leather articles from Sialkot, besides halting the pace of other trade activities.

They said outages were also causing inordinate delay in the timely dispatch of consignments.

They have urged the government to exempt the city from loadshedding to save the export-oriented industries from closure or announce power suspension schedule.

GAS SUPPLY: The SNGPL has completed almost 90 per cent gas schemes in the city with the funds given by local MNAs, MPAs and the district government.

The company has supplied gas to more than 72 far-off villages in the district.

SNGPL officials stated this while giving a detailed briefing to Sialkot District Nazim Muhammad Akmal Cheema about the ongoing development schemes during a special meeting here.

They said the company was selling Rs8.5 million worth of gas per annum to local consumers.

They said 45 villages of Pasrur tehsil were being provided with gas under Tameer-i-Punjab and Tameer-i-Pakistan programmes.