The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent decision to reduce petroleum prices by halving the petroleum development levy (PDL), describing it as a relief for the public and business community.
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Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, however, stressed that the partial reduction in petrol prices is insufficient to safeguard Pakistan’s export competitiveness, as high-speed diesel (HSD) remains at Rs. 520 per liter, driving up operational costs for industries reliant on energy-intensive production.
“While the petrol revision to Rs. 378 per liter provides temporary breathing room, export sectors continue to face severe cost pressures,” Sheikh said, warning that prolonged high freight and logistics costs could trigger factory closures, reduced shifts, and rising unemployment.
Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, FPCCI Senior Vice President, highlighted the plight of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Pakistan’s export supply chain. “SMEs are facing immediate liquidity crises, and a partial petrol reduction alone cannot address their challenges,” he said, noting that competitors in India, Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam have managed energy crises with lower domestic fuel price increases.
FPCCI urged the government to implement a strategic safety net for export-oriented industries, including a complete suspension of PDL for exporters and accelerated adoption of alternative energy sources. The federation called for an urgent consultative dialogue with the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, and Petroleum, emphasizing that protecting export industries is a matter of national economic security.
