PSM ACHIEVES 60% PRODUCTION CAPACITY & 50 MW ELECTRICITY IS BEING GENERATED FROM THERMAL POWER PLANT

Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Owing to the current management planning, farsightedness and continuous struggle, Pakistan Steel has achieved 60% capacity utilization of its 1.1 million tons per annum capacity. After necessary repair and maintenance of Thermal Power Plant (TPP-TBS) was undertaken, currently it is generating 50 MW of electricity. It is imperative to mention here that in April, 2014 when, Maj General (R), Zaheer Ahmed Khan joined PSM as Chief Executive Officer, the Production Capacity (CAPU) of the mill was running as low as 1.4% and only 18 MW electricity was generated. Furthermore the stocks of raw material were almost depleted. It is a delightful to quote that after six (6) years60% of Capacity Utilization (CAPU) has been attained. It took great effort and continuous hard workto undertake necessary repair and maintenance of this vintage plant which was neglected over the years on one hand and to motivate the demoralised and disheartnendworkforce of Pakistan Steel on the other, and was made capable of reaching the current production level which was only possible under the sincere leadership of Zaheer Ahmed Khan.
It is worth mentioning here that with the help of recent bailout package of Rs. 18.5 billion from the GoP Pakistan Steel now has huge quantities of raw material in its stockyard. Furthermore two more ships carrying raw material will arrive at PSM jetty replenishing the stockyards. It is said that the revival of this national asset (Pakistan steel) has started and its moving towards the path of success and growth and will soon be a success story for other corporations.
Moreover, Pakistan Steel has billions of rupees worth,international quality finished products in its yards. Pakistan Steel follows a transparent procedure to sell its manufactured products. The difficulties Pakistan steel is facing in selling itsproducts are multifactorial which include availability of imported steel from China at a very cheap price, supply of smuggled steel products at domestic/local markets etc. which are affecting the sales of Pakistan steel products.
It is important to mention here thatPakistan steel is in constant contact with all the concerned quarters and higher authorities of Ministry of Finance (MoF) and FBRthrough Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) regarding imposing regulatory duty on imported steel products. Imposition of regulatory duty on imported items will significantly increase the sell of Pakistan steel.
The persistent rise in Pakistan steel productivity is due to far reaching strategy and timely decisions of its current management. Pakistan steel employees are dedicated at putting in their efforts and struggle day and night. Pakistan steel administration appreciates this gesture of its employees and it is expected that the production level will be managed to cross over the breakeven point in April 2015.