Karachi: Pakistan Steel Mill Production came to almost zero, due to stoppage of Natural Gas since 10th June 2015. Repeated requests to the Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi and SSGC Officials have not shown any positive response. Now since Blast Furnaces are being operated intermittently for one heat and then stopped, it has reduced the inside furnace temperature and lancing is being done by workforce by standing in front of furnaces in prevailing extreme hot weather.
However, continuous Gas stoppage will cause water leakages from the coolers of furnaces, which will lead to extensive damage to huge furnace structure and may shut the plant completely.
A closed plant was revived after government bailout in April 2014 and brought into production by dedication, skill and hard work of PSM Engineers and its workforce has been threatened with complete damage risk and ultimate closure. The stoppage of gas since 10th June 2015 has already made steel making and rolling of slab impossible and now the only remaining producing unit i.e. Blast furnace is also at a risk of severe damage and ultimate closure due to gas stoppage.
Furthermore, financial loss due to zero production has mounted to the highest level which had been considerably reduced by achieving an average of 27 – 30% CAPU during last 8 months.
