Faisalabad textile sector condemns FESCO, SNGPL policies

06 Nov '12

2 min read

Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) are meeting severe condemnation for overcharging, overbilling and discrimination in power and gas supply to businesses, industries and trade establishments in Faisalabad, said to be the Manchester of Pakistan.

During a joint meeting, leaders of 15 industry and trade-related associations, including textile and hosiery producers, powerloom owners, exporters and owners of printing mills, alleged that FESCO and SNGPL are hindering smooth running of industry, especially textile manufacturing, in Faisalabad.

Condemning high rates of gas and electricity that the two departments charge from the industries in Pakistan, they said these are highest as compared to the rates charged by agencies in other regional competitors like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Mian Zahid Aslam said while electricity charges in Pakistan are prevailing at 10.3 cents per KWh, in Bangladesh it costs 5.4 cents/KWh and in Sri Lanka 9.1 cents/KWh.

Likewise, gas in Pakistan costs Pk Rs. 485.13/MMBTU, while its cost in Bangladesh is equivalent to Rs. 260/MMBTU and that in Sri Lanka to Rs. 330/MMBTU.

Such high gas and power charges are onerous for textile producers and exporters in the Faisalabad region.

The industry leaders also slammed SNGPL for discrimination in gas supply. They said while industries in Lahore are being provided gas for five days a week, those in Faisalabad get gas supply only for three days per week.

At the press conference after the meeting, Mr. Aslam said that there have been frequent instances of FESCO overcharging or overbilling the business, trade and industrial communities, which is hampering smooth running of the business as people need to spend much time to get their bills corrected from FESCO offices.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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