Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has called for steps on war footing to put an end the unannounced prolonged loadshedding because the situation is fast heading towards a point of no return. PIAF Chairman Malik Tahir Javed in a statement on Tuesday said on one hand masses in general and business community in particular were facing dreadful loadshedding and on the other repeated increases in tariff were adding fuel to the fire.
He said if situation continued, it would be difficult to achieve economic targets set for the ongoing financial while export-oriented industry would not be able to get full advantage of the opportunity of GSP plus status by the European Union. He urged the government to ensure early completion of water and hydro-power projects on war footing as energy shortage was not only hampering the industrial production but is also a serious threat for economic growth. He said business community hails the Nawaz Sharif government's initiatives for power sector announced in the Federal Budget 2014-15 for power sector but desired results could be achieved only if all energy projects completed in shortest possible time.
He said that early completion of hydro-power projects would not only ensure cheap and sufficient electricity but would also reduce water shortage. He said that massive power cuts are impeding the export-oriented industrial production and if situation remains, dream of enhancing the exports would not come true. PIAF Chairman said that the consumers of the efficient distribution companies with lowest line losses and the highest recovery ratio should be treated fairly. He said that business community has repeatedly warned the government of massive lay-offs and industrial closures if it fails to immediately stop power outages.
He said that the industry needs continuous supply of electricity to keep the units operational and to complete the export orders well within the given timeframe but only because of the shortage of electricity the exports are not up to the mark. Malik Tahir Javed also urged the government to avoid undue increases in gas and electricity tariff in any shape as it would adversely affect competitiveness of Pakistan merchandise in the international market.
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