Chief Coordinator, Karachi Industrial Forum (KIF), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani has urged the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to issue directive to compensate the losses of industries through adjustment in their future utility bills. In a letter to Prime Minister, he also demanded to constitute a high powered committee to determine the losses incurred by different industries and how to compensate them and whether such compensation be made by the federal or provincial governments or the SSGC or K-electric.
He said in the post resumption gas supply by SSGC to K-electric as per direction by Prime Minister, joint meeting of seven industrial town associations of Karachi was held on Wednesday wherein industrialists had deliberations on the colossal financial losses being faced by the industries of Karachi in the wake of eight hours daily electricity load shedding for 26 days from March 26 to April 23 2018 due to row between K-electric and SSGC whereby an entire shift of production suffered on dally basis for almost one month.
The industrialists profoundly appreciate Prime Minister intervention to resolve the electricity crisis, however, at a belated stage and after a lapse of 26 days which cased huge financial losses.
The industrialists are of opinion that the losses being faced by the industries are irreparable and if not compensated shall lead to a devastating scenario and survival of industries will become impossible.
He expressed that if Prime Minister had taken decision on the second day when the crisis started the situation would not have been aggravated. Therefore the industrialists after long deliberations strongly fell and of the view that it is high imperative for K-electric and SSGC to resolve all their outstanding issues within 15 days and required quantity of gas must be supplied to K-eclectic to produce and supply uninterrupted electricity to the industries.
After facing the severest ever energy crisis for almost on month, the industries shall not be in as position to bear another brunt due to recurring spat between the two utilities providers.
Hence, in view of foregoing and approaching Holy Month of Ramadan, the SSGC and K-electric must settle their outstanding issues in accordance with Prime Minister directive and as per the TORs and gas supply must not be discontinued to ensure continuous power supply to the industries of Karachi.
He said that huge investment of industries was put at stake due to dispute between two utility providers who have lost nothing on the other hand the industries losses have been piled up to Rs 37 billion approx.
Therefore, it is highly crucial to support the industries currently going through a critical situation and financial mess amid uncalled for production losses.
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