Tanneries demand water supply urgently

As the fertilizers and textiles industries are already suffering from the shortfall of natural gas and electricity, the tanneries operating in the country have started complaining about the lack of water supply as well. Acute water
shortage in the peak operational season has broken serious outrage among the tanneries sector, especially in Karachi.

Chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), M Khurshid Ahmed, has cited that such water shortage at this time of the year, when the processing of hides and skins has just begun, might threaten the export orders of various
tanneries, resulting in a loss of millions of dollars. He mentioned that the country is making over $1 billion every year through the export of leather and leather products and such crisis might cause serious differences in the balance of payments.

Mr. Ahmed told that PTA his rounds of dialogue with Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) over this serious matter have all ended up in failure and he has sought an intervention of Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, Governor of Sindh.

The Sector 7A of Korangi Industrial Area houses around 250 to 260 units and stands biggest cluster of the leather industry. The chairman of PTA told the reporters that tannery zone in Korangi is facing perpetual drought-like situation,
which his badly affecting the leather industry’s quality of production. He further stated that the major source of water for the tanneries was the wells that were dug by the industry and most of them have dried up now, leading such shortage of water. No supply
of water from KWSB have worsen the situation.

“A drought-like situation prevails in the leather industry of Korangi industrial area and KWSB has remained unmoved despite repeated representations and persuasions,” he lamented.

Mr Ahmed told that PTA has taken the matter even to the Managing Director of KWSB on many occasions but it ended up on promises and commitments every time. None of the promises have been fulfilled by KSWB and the tanneries have
kept suffering from the want of water, which is extremely vital for processing of hides and skins. Under the given circumstances, tanneries are constrained to buy water through private water tankers which is not only expensive but also damaging quality of
finished or tanned leather

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=6455

Posted by Farhan Hameed on Dec 17 2011. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry