Crisis in Pakistan

Gas shortage sparks protests across Pakistan

Daily News,

21 January, 2012

By Shabbir Sarwar

LAHORE: Gas shortage crisis is likely to make the already bad politico-economic situation of the country worse, as business community has flexed its muscles against the federal government’s discrimination against the Punjab industry. The crisis is going towards province-wide protests and furtherance of political differences between the Punjab government and the Centre.

In the latest development, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to share its energy plan with it saying that the highest-ever electricity tariff and more than 14 hours power outages have crippled both the trade and industry. On the other hand All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab has announced defiance of gas load shedding for textile industry from Monday onwards after dishonouring of a series of promises made by Federal Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd authorities and the Punjab governor.

The gas supply to Punjab industry is completely closed since December 25 and the government has failed to restore two days a week gas supply as per its promise. Now the APTMA leadership has demanded that if 3.5 days a week gas supply is not resumed form Monday it has the option to defy government orders or to approach courts. 

Earlier, the two main stakeholders, all 17 chambers of commerce and industry of the province and APTMA have parted their ways on the issue and could not make a joint strategy as the chambers had decided to launch protest demonstrations while textile industry leaders opted the policy of waiting for the government’s response regarding their promise of resuming two days a week gas supply.

Separately, Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has urged the government to resolve gas crisis as the situation has reached the point that business community is planning to defy government decision regarding suspension of gas to the industry in Punjab. PIAF Chairman Engineer Sohail Lashari said that the business community does not want to stage protests but it is being forced to do so therefore the government should understand the sensitivity of the situation and come to the rescue of the people who are the backbone of the economy. He said that it is the duty of the government to ensure smooth running of business but due to political uncertainty, the government has little time to think about economic mismanagement in vogue in various government institutions. He said that the gas crisis has put at stake the millions of workers attached with the industry in Punjab besides hitting hard the overall economic growth of the country.