LAHORE: Abdul Hameed, Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone, has strongly condemned the government’s proposal to halt gas supply to co-generation captive power and captive power plants. He warned that this move could have devastating effects on both the industry and the economy.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hameed urged immediate action to protect the export industry, which has invested heavily in co-generation and captive power systems. He argued that cutting off gas supply would render these investments useless, leading to massive financial losses.
Hameed emphasized that relying on the national grid’s expensive electricity would significantly raise production costs, making Pakistani exports uncompetitive in the global market. He further highlighted that the value-added knitwear industry has been instrumental in supporting the government’s revenue goals and urged authorities to provide comprehensive planning and support for export sectors.
The PHMA Chairman pointed out that the export industry already faces higher utility costs compared to regional competitors and noted that captive power is a more cost-effective and stable energy solution for manufacturers. Hameed also criticized past energy mismanagement, such as the approval of excessive CNG stations, which wasted valuable resources.
He concluded by urging the government to consult with the private sector to enhance the efficiency of captive power generation and avoid jeopardizing the country’s export potential.
