All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) to call a conference of stakeholders of the entire textile chain, including value-added sector, this month to evolve a joint protest strategy after having received in writing from hundred textile mills of Punjab to close their units if the federal government fails to address non-viability of the industry and restore its competitiveness.

About 70 textile mills have already closed down in Punjab due to commercial non-viability and complete gas suspension by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), while another 100 are ready to close businesses, announced Aptma Punjab Chairman Aamir Fayyaz at a press conference after holding a general body meeting of the association here on Monday.

The textile chain was ready for closure as the government had failed to reduce their cost of business especially power tariff, ban imported yarn and fabrics and announce the much-delayed textile bailout package.

The Aptma leader dispelled the impression created by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that the textile industry’s demands had been met by the government, saying what the government had offered fulfilled the demands having least financial impact.

Fayyaz said that the millers did not demand any subsidy, but only withdrawal of the unjust surcharge on power tariff. The government has been urged to restore gas supply immediately besides tariff rationalisation of electricity.

Aptma group leader Gohar Ejaz said that the government had yet to appoint a textiles minister as the industry had run from pillar to post for redressal of its grievances. More over even six month after the announcement of the federal budget, the commerce ministry has also failed to announce trade policy.