The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Wednesday claimed that it had to suffer losses of about Rs 1 billion in a month due to lack of smooth gas supply to the industry. In addition, the association had to close about 200 textile units in Punjab and NWFP Zones owing to scheduled load-management of two-day, said APTMA Punjab chairman, Guhar Ijaz. “The shortage of gas has inflicted the textile industry Rs 1 billion losses in one month besides forcing the association to close down about 200 units,” he said. He said the gas to the industry was not supplied in accordance with the schedule already prepared by the Textile Ministry in collaboration with stakeholders. “It was decided that there would be two-day load-shedding in a week for the textile industry, however the days have now been enhanced up to four,” he added. “If the shortage prolonged from 8-15 day a month, industrial sector would definitely suffer more losses, besides making further closure of textile units,” he apprehended. APTMA had divided the industrial units of Punjab and NWFP in four zones to share gas loadshedding on equitable basis. An official in the Ministry of Textile admitted that there was gas disruption for some days, however added that it has been resumed now to all zones. He said that the Textile Ministry has expedited the process of implementing the Textile Policy for the betterment of the industry. Source: Daily Times