KARACHI: The President, SITE Association of Industry Muhammad Kamran Arbi, has condemned the recent increase in gas tariff as approved by the Economic Coordination Committee and the caretaker govt. He has demanded the caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries & Production Dr. Gohar Ejaz and Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali to take back the decision of hike in gas tariff in the larger interest of national economy and to save the industries from collapse.
He warned that in case, the decision is not withdrawn, the industries will close down, resulting in decline in exports and mass unemployment.
In an appeal, Mr. Arbi said that the business community was given assurance for 9 cents per KWh electricity tariff by the caretaker government. The assurance brought a sigh of relief and hope for the business community that the new tariff will help in reduction of production cost, and they will be able to continue production unabated and deliver export orders on time. However, contrary to the assurance given, POL, electricity and gas tariff are being increased constantly by the caretaker government.
SITE President added that currently, the national economy is passing through severe crisis. To run an industry is no more a profitable business. He questioned the Caretaker Prime Minister as to how economy of the country can be stabilized and strengthened in the absence of industrial and business activities?
“Unfortunately, the caretaker government has taken no step to provide competitive environment to industries, lower the cost of production and reignite the engine of national economy, which has left the industrial community in despair,” Arbi remarked.
SITE President demanded the caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries & Production Dr. Gohar Ejaz and Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali to review the decision of hike in gas prices and reduce the same taking into consideration the ground realities.
The utilities prices should be fixed after thorough consultation with stakeholders, justifiable as well as regionally competitive so that industrial activities continue without hurdle, which would ultimately have positive impact on national economy and exports. In case, the gas tariff is not lowered, it will have negative impact on the country’s exports.
