Gas Load Shedding Hits Textile Firms in Punjab

The Pakistani textile industry–among many others–is strongly protesting the government’s gas load shedding schedule, which essentially closed their facilities down from Nov. 16 through Nov. 22. Gas load shedding is a government strategy that conserves energy reserves by shutting down the supply to many industrial sectors.

The result will be devastating to many families, because thousands of workers will have no work or income during that period. In addition, the interruption in power is enough to cripple many textile companies involved in the business of dyeing, printing and sizing industries, among others, according to the All Pakistan Power Loom Association, the All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, and the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The organizations say that the entire textile chain is on the verge of collapse, with 50,000 power loom businesses already out of business, and as many as 150,000 more operating on a limited basis.

Initially told by the Petroleum & Gas, Power and Water, and Textile Ministries that the gas load shedding would only last one day, leaders from all sectors of the textile industry have been dismayed and distraught by the week-long energy shutdown.