Chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association Khawaja M Yousuf in a press statement, expressed deep concern over repeated increase in the prices of petrol, petroleum products and gas effective from 1st July, which has been termed a mini budget. He criticised the government decision for increasing the POL prices for the sixth time in less than a year.
The statement said: "According to the government notification petrol price has now become as high as Rs 48.49 per liter by raising Rs 3.42 per liter, which will badly affect the industries of the country in general and the leather industry in particular as the price hike of the above products and railway fares is sure to enhance the cost production, which will ultimately affect exports."
Increase in POL and gas prices, the statement said, will consequently raise prices of all items of daily use exorbitantly, which will add to the miseries of common man, particularly the industrial workers, who are already suffering from an unbridled price hike trend.
Khawaja Yousuf pointed out that WTO regime has already been introduced from 1st January, which necessitates quality products for the exports to have competitive edge in world market for which Pakistani exporters need due encouragement and facilities. He condemned the fresh increase in the prices of POL, gas and railway fares and stressed for immediate withdrawal of such harsh decisions.
Khawaja Yousuf has appealed to the government not to take such counter-productive decision detrimental to the business acumen and the national interest.-PR