KARACHI: Businessmen in Karachi have protested against a decision by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to stop gas supply to non-export industries.
Chairman BMG and Patron-in-Chief of SITE Association of Industry Zubair Motiwala and President Abdul Hadi have raised concerns over 100% gas closure of general industries by the SSGC and have termed this move ‘disastrous’ for industries.
They have appealed the Prime Minister Imran Khan, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, SAPM Tabish Gohar and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail to revert the decision of complete gas closure of Karachi industries or else almost 50% of industrial units will close down, resulting in mass unemployment.
Zubair Motiwala and Abdul Hadi said that the closure of gas to Karachi industries without taking stakeholders into confidence is an act of injustice with the industries.
“How can such a big decision be taken without consulting the industrial community?” questioned Motiwala. “We are of the opinion that appropriate steps should be taken with mutual consent.”
They added that if 50% industries are export-oriented units and the remaining are general industries, what is the wisdom behind closing down gas of those units and interrupt production meant for domestic consumption.
They further said that there is no shortage of R-LNG in the country. “K-Electric and other systems are already being run by providing gas. As such, this is not the opportune time to close down gas of general industries,” the statement added
They said the government should take decisions in the larger interest of the economy and should focus on reducing production costs and promoting industrialisation to produce more avenues for employment.
