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Pakistan Steel Re Rolling Mills Association Concerned Over Gas Suspension

  • The News reported that the Pakistan Steel Re Rolling Mills Association has expressed concern over gas suspension to the industry.The leaders of the PSRMA said that "Our industry is experiencing acute gas shortage every year, but this year the shortage is at its peak."They said that in the past gas was being suspended for those units who have contract of nine months with the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, whereas the units having contracts of 12 months were being provided gas subject to the load management.They said that Punjab is facing discrimination in gas supply despite giving benefits to other parts of the country through usage of products being manufactured in the province. They demanded that the distribution of gas supply must be in accordance with the size of the industry and not according to the area of a province.

  • They said that "Our industry is paying revenue to the Federation of Pakistan and as such protection of our rights is the responsibility of the Federation." They added that it is a fact that furnace oil can be used as an alternative to gas, but it is an expensive choice and would result in hike in prices of all the steel products.They said that moreover, gas suspension to the industry would result in total closure of 28 dependent industries of steel sector to whom raw material is being provided by the re rolling industry. They added that these industries include agricultural implement, sewing machine, surgical instruments, tractor spares, power loom, electric fan and appliances, light engineering, housing, construction, etc.

  • They said that the federal minister for petroleum and natural resources and the SNGPL managing director have on several occasions admitted that the gas crisis is due to theft.PSRMA is repeatedly bringing this painful issue of theft into the notice of the higher authorities and demanding action against the thieves along with responsible of SNGPL who are facilitating the culprits in gas theft of billions of rupees every year, but to no avail.They urged the president and the prime minister to play their due roles and direct the authorities concerned to restore gas to steel industry and save nearly half a million of workers and their families from starvation.

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