Khursheed Ahmed Jogezai, Vice President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has expressed serious concern over the dying industry of mining in the country. In Balochistan coal mining is the major industry and besides vast-scale indirect employment, it provides direct employment to more than one hundred thousand people, he told APP here.
He said that in Balochistan the coal deposits have gone very low to un-economical level of mining and that no new area for the mining has been opened in the province. This has caused low production of coal and high input cost making the local mining industry in-competitive which darkens the future of this industry and other coal-based industries. He suggested that certain percentage of duties be levied on the coal imported from various countries to promote the local industry.
He stressed for providing maximum facilities and incentives to local and foreign investors interested in mining in the country especially in Balochistan. Till now, there are only two foreign companies involved in mining in Balochistan-Chinese company working on Sandak copper field and Canadian company is busy in mining gold and copper from other site.
He said industrialisation in the province cannot take off unless there is a strong roads network and other infrastructure along with peace and security to life and property. Jogezai called for maximum participation of Pakistan's private sector in exploring and supplying petroleum products in the country for the good of national economy and the people.
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