Government should expedite work on the energy projects, as the power shortage was badly hampering industrial production in the country. In a statement on Sunday, Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Khawaja Muhammad Usman said that energy was an engine of growth and its sufficient availability was crucial to achieve the required GDP growth and other economic targets set for the financial year 2014-15.
He said that business community hailed the government initiatives for power sector in the federal budget 2014-15 but desired results could only be achieved if all energy projects were completed in shortest possible time. He said that early completion of hydropower projects would not only ensure cheap electricity but would also diminish water shortage that was also a biggest challenge for agro-based economy.
He said that power cuts were impeding industrial production and if the situation persisted, the dream of enhancing exports could not be materialised. The MCCI President said that the consumers of the efficient distribution companies with lowest line losses and the highest recovery ratio should be treated fairly.
He regretted that in the developed countries, private sector was facilitated to the maximum but in Pakistan circumstances were quite opposite. He said that the government should understand that economic well-being was a must for democracy. Unemployment, price-hike, industrial closure always gave birth to lawlessness and anarchy. Therefore, the government should understand the ground realities and reset its priorities regarding provision of electricity to the industry. Usman also urged the government to avoid undue increases in gas and electricity tariff, as it would adversely affect the competitiveness of the country's merchandise in the international market.
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