Gas management

This refers to the news report, ‘Gas load management to boost industrial productivity’, (Oct 19). It is an incorrect assumption that providing more gas to the industrial sector in Punjab from the share of domestic users will increase government revenue and industrial production. Textile mills in Punjab use industrial gas and for the past three months, the textile industry has been enjoying uninterrupted gas and electricity supply at zero-rated tax. But according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the textile sector export has decreased by 2.6 percent in the first quarter of this year. Due to zero rating tax, the government is also not getting revenue from this sector.

The government of Punjab, like the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should stop gas supply to industries from 6pm till 6am, to ensure proper supply to all domestic and commercial users. And if any industry wishes to work during this time, they should import RLNG for their use. Also zero taxed energy supply should not be allowed to industries, especially when our country is facing energy shortfalls.

Engr Shahryar Khan Baseer

Peshawar