Business community, political parties criticise government

The business community, political parties, civil society and the common man have strongly condemned the PPP government on once again raising the prices of petroleum products and maintained that its impact would be negative on all sectors.
While talking to Business Recorder on Monday Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Kashif Shabbir said that the escalation of petroleum prices would severely hit industries, agriculture sector, and transport costs. The industries particularly textile sector would be negatively affected by the government's decision to increase petrol rates, he said.
He further said that a number of industrial units are already closed or are operating at below optimum levels. Shabbir said that the import and export sectors would also be affected and the cost of production and raw material would increase dramatically. Petroleum prices would, therefore, influence, directly or indirectly, the price of all essential commodities.
He said that frequent increase in gas and power tariffs, transport fares and oil prices has already accelerated capital flight and discouraged local and foreign direct investment. The RCCI President said that the value of rupee has already depreciated against the dollar and it is having an adverse effect on Pakistani imports and debt position.
While giving proposals to control this situation, he said that the government should decrease non-development expenditures and develop infrastructure. The government should formulate economic policies after discussions with the stakeholders including Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
"We need to take short and long-term measures to overcome energy crisis and we should also pay attention to the development of Thar Coal Project," he said. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, while talking to Business Recorder, stated that his party would raise its voice in and outside of Parliament against the government's decision to increase petroleum price.
"The PML-N did not deviate from its principal stand in the past and in future it would remain firm on its stance. We will not compromise on those issues which are in the interest of the nation and country," he said. While answering a question, the PML-N leader said that governance today remains an issue. The people gave their mandate to PPP in 2008 elections to change the system, but have become disillusioned with government policies.