LAHORE: Basic textile mills, flooded with export orders due to the global textile industry realignment, have been unable to cash in on the opportunity as gas load-shedding continues in Punjab and NWFP despite a significant increase in temperature.
A spokesman for the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association claimed that 60 to 70 per cent of the industry had been affected and was unable to accept export orders coming in from around the globe.
He said the textile industry had already endured over 45 days of gas disconnection over a period of four months, causing unprecedented production losses and badly affecting viability of the industry.
In Punjab, he said, the textile industry share was over 60 per cent, adding according to APTMA study energy supply disruption only was causing an estimated loss of Rs1 billion per day.
He regretted that at a time when the export-oriented industry had ready demand in terms of meeting export orders, the policy-makers failed to take prudent steps to help ensure timely execution of orders. In the larger interest of the economy and exports, he suggested, the government should intervene and nsure utility companies provide smooth electricity and gas supply to the textile industry and accord the industry top priority at this critical time.