Government urged to speedily overcome gas crisis

Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has urged government to resolve gas crisis as the situation has reached the point that business community is planning to defy government decision regarding suspension of gas to the industry in Punjab.
PIAF Chairman, Sohail Lashari said the business community does not want to stage protests but it is being forced to do so therefore government should understand the sensitivity of the situation and come to the rescue of people who are the back bone of the economy. He said that it is the duty of government to ensure smooth running of business but due to political uncertainty, government has little time to think of economic mismanagement in vogue in various government institutions. He observed that gas crisis has put at stake millions of workers attached with the industry in Punjab besides hitting hard the overall economic growth of the country.
He further said government needs to reset its priority regarding the supply of gas as the decision to stop gas to the industry has rendered thousands of daily-wagers jobless. It has also caused closure of a large number of industrial units that were used to remain in production in three shifts in 24 hours. He said that it is very unfortunate that economy of the country is the last priority of the present regime and its non-seriousness towards the real issues is giving birth to a number of social problems. I if the situation remains the same for quite sometime it could also create law and order situation in the province, he warned.
PIAF chairman asked how trade and industry would pay back mark-up to banks when the production in the industrial units are a complete halt for indefinite period now. He said it is the responsibility of government to ensure provision of utilities to masses either they belong to trade or industry, but the situation is totally otherwise and a long period of four years of its tenure has passed in making 'tall claims and doing nothing'.
He said that business community wants to play its role for the progress and prosperity of the country but government was trying to keep them busy in other issues. He said it is the government policies that have forced the community to stage sit-in. Lashari said president and PM should intervene into the issue as the situation is fast heading towards point of no return and their credibility to handle economic issues is at stake.