Govt to facilitate the textile sector: Ali Zafar

ISLAMABAD, June 21 (APP):Minister of Energy Syed Ali Zafar met representatives of APTMA on Thursday and received a detailed presentation on textile sector and different issues relating to energy supply to the sector
were also discussed in detail.
The minister apprised the participants that he is committed to facilitate the industry within the mandate of caretaker government.
The APTMA representatives stressed that like Bangladesh, Pakistan should also facilitate its Textile Sector which will significantly increase exports.
They said that due to uncertain situation in the textile sector, investors have not invested on extension and modernization of their industrial plants. They mainly focused that electricity and gas is being supplied at much cheaper rates to industry in neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh
as compared to Pakistan.
They requested price of gas for industries should be same in the country and there should be a WACG (Weighted Average Cost of Gas) formula for textile sector. They further requested that their
quota of system gas should be increased.
It was apprised to the participants that WACG formula cannot be implemented now as
interpretation of Article 158 of the Constitution is pending in the honourable Supreme Court of
Pakistan. However, same may be considered after final decision of the honourable court on the
subject.
Further, MD SNGPL informed that due to shortage of gas, it is not possible to increase the
quota of system gas for the time being.
At the end, the minister suggested the delegates to hold meetings with concerned departments
to draft viable proposals which may minimize challenges confronted by textile sector.
He assured that he would take every possible step for growth and development of textile sector.