AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, April 27, 2013 (PPI-OT): Mr.Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, General Manager, Sui Northern Gas Company Limited Islamabad Region visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and addressing the business community said that SNGPL is working to enhance gas supply duration for industry from 3 days to 4 days in a week.
He said industry should be given priority in supplying gas to promote economic activities and create jobs. However, policy of encouraging CNG sector in the country has made it difficult for us to supply consistent gas to industry. He said stay orders by CNG stations from courts against gas load shedding were creating problems for SNGPL.
He said industrial and commercial consumers were the most profitable subscribers of SNGPL. However, it was the responsibility of government to reset its priorities for supply of gas to different categories of consumers keeping in view the supreme national interest.
GM, SNGPL said a mafia was working in the field and minting money from innocent people with promise of providing gas connections, but warned that people should not pay them money as such illegal gas connections could create problems for them. He assured that with the materialization of Iran Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project, the gas shortage problem will significantly improve in the country.
In his welcome address, Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that shortage of gas and electricity has almost crippled the business and industrial activities and industry should be given top priority for supplying gas and stressed that SNGPL should supply gas to industry for 12 hours from 6: 00 am to 6:00 pm.
He termed it unfortunate that in spite of being an atomic power and having one of the best army in the world, Pakistan was badly suffering from energy crisis. He said CNG Sector was promoted without proper planning and the result is that all sectors of economy are now suffering while economic growth has slowed down creating problems of unemployment and difficulties for common man.
President ICCI said SNGPL was providing gas to industry and CNG stations on the same days in Islamabad and this arrangement was causing low gas pressure due to which industry was facing problems in operating its machinery on gas. He called for supply of gas to industry and CNG stations on separate days to improve gas pressure.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk