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HYDERABAD, Nov 09 (APP): President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI), Muhammad Saleem Memon, has expressed displeasure over the ongoing gas crisis faced by both industries and domestic consumers across the country.
He stated that with the onset of winter, gas pressure and supply issues have intensified, severely affecting industrial production and creating immense hardship for households.
He revealed that over 40% of small-scale industries nationwide are suffering due to low gas pressure and irregular supply, while hundreds of industrial units in Sindh have been forced to partially shut down operations.
The President emphasized that instead of repeatedly increasing gas prices, the government must take immediate measures to control line losses and gas theft, ensuring efficient utilization of the available supply.
Saleem Memon urged the government to adopt alternate sources of energy to keep the industrial wheel running smoothly.
He pointed out that around the world, alternative energy solutions such as LPG, biogas, solar power, wind energy, and waste-to-energy plants are being successfully promoted to sustain industrial growth. He further added that if the government truly intends to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs), it must find a sustainable and long-term solution to the energy crisis.
At the same time, he emphasized that industrialists should explore and adopt self-sufficient energy sources, as operating industries at government-announced energy rates has now become nearly impossible.
Concluding his remarks, President Saleem Memon urged the government to Prioritize the restoration of gas supply to industrial areas, Introducing immediate subsidies and financing schemes for alternative energy projects and to Establish a special task force to curb gas losses and eliminate administrative corruption.
He emphasized that the government, the Ministry of Energy, and OGRA must act urgently to prevent industrial shutdowns and to resolve the energy crisis on a permanent basis, ensuring the stability and growth of Pakistan’s economy.