KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has strongly criticised Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for announcing the suspension of gas supply to industries.
In a statement issued, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala and President KCCI Shariq Vohra appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to refrain SSGC from suspending gas supply to industries.
They also ordered a probe into the massive gas mismanagement as industries in Karachi, which they said were already going through unbearable circumstances and cannot afford any interruption in their production activities.
They stated that if SSGC was facing gas shortfall of 200-250 MMCF from Kunnar-Pasakhi Deep (KPD) Gas field and Engro Terminal, then the shortfall could have been surmounted through RLNG but instead, they announced the abrupt suspension of gas supplies to industries which is totally unacceptable as it would prove disastrous not only for the business community but also for the economy and public.
He said around 150-200 MMCF RLNG was being supplied to industries and they have also been told that SSGC has been restrained from retaining RLNG and the entire volume of 1200 MMCF should be given to SNGPL.
“What will happen to these industries in Karachi to whom supply of 200 MMCF RLNG (including KE) was committed. It’s a double jeopardy as in addition to supplying gas from Sindh’s indigenous resources, RLNG is also being handed over to SNGPL,” said Motiwala, adding that this could have been scheduled during the forthcoming holidays of Eid-ul-Azha.
Chairman BMG said that it appears to be like a conspiracy against Karachi as after every 15 days, the industries are tangled in this kind of situation that intensifies the sufferings for industries in Karachi.
He said that the decision to suspend gas supply would affect the performance of general industries which are an important part of the supply chain of export-oriented industries. He said it will have devastating effect on trading, wholesale and retail networks which ultimately create negative signals and uncertainty.
President KCCI Shariq Vohra stated that the suspension of gas supply to industries of Karachi would cause layoffs, financial losses to industries and revenue losses to national exchequer.
He was of the opinion that the ongoing gas crises in Karachi has become a serious issue that needs to be probed because when the industrial activities were gradually returning to normalcy, some elements abruptly intervened and created gas shortage which is going to result in closure of many factories.
He expressed concern that if the gas crises persists, it would become difficult for industries to ensure smooth supply of goods for the local markets as well as for export industries and the shortages would trigger inflation.
He said that the hardships being faced by the business and industrial community of Karachi due to suspension of gas supply needs to be given special attention and promptly resolved otherwise, the situation would have a serious impact on the industrial performance and the economy.
