President of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, Mohammad Saleem Memon, has expressed deep concern over the severe gas crisis affecting both industries and domestic consumers.
He stated that with the onset of winter, the decline in gas pressure and supply is badly impacting industrial production, while households are also facing serious difficulties. According to him, 40% of small industries are affected, and the export sector is under pressure. Saleem Memon added that continuous gas tariff hikes by OGRA, coupled with reduced supply, have further worsened the situation.
He highlighted that nearly 40% of small industries nationwide are suffering due to low pressure and uncertain gas supply, while hundreds of industrial units in Sindh have partially shut down. This has negatively affected exports and put thousands of jobs at risk.
Saleem Memon said the government should focus on controlling gas theft and line losses rather than repeatedly increasing tariffs. He emphasized that countries worldwide are successfully implementing energy projects based on LPG, biogas, solar, and wind, and Pakistan must adopt these alternatives on an urgent basis.
He also appealed to the FPCCI President to convene a national energy conference, bringing together all chambers and industrial representatives, to formulate a joint policy for addressing the crisis.
