KARACHI: All Pakistan Corrugated Cartons Manufacturers Association (APCCMA) chairman Masroor Mizra has slammed unannounced daily gas loadshedding for the last three weeks across industrial areas of the port city.

He said the Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGCL) is playing a hide-and-seek game with the all industries especially corrugated carton units which are the backbone of the national economy. “Without corrugated industry, all the exports and local supplies can be stuck up,” he asserted.

He said the argument of gas shortage is not valid because the SSGCL should have made arrangements before the start of winter season.

Mr Mirza said the corrugated carton units do not have any other source to obtain gas supply or any other source for continuation of their production because this industry belongs to SMEs.

While rejecting the gas suspension to all non-export industries, SITE Association of Industries President Abdul Rasheed urged the SSGCL to carry out staggered gas holidays with better load management to provide relief to the general industrial community providing livelihood to millions of people.

He said the general industries are supplying essential raw materials to export-oriented industries hence are an integral part of the supply chain and must stay operational otherwise the export sector even with gas would not be able to maintain the pace of exports.

He feared shortage of essential goods as well as increase in goods’ prices due to gas suspension to general industries.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2021