Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and industry (SCCI) President Dr Nouman Idris Butt has expressed deep concern over the unscheduled load-shedding, which crippled the industrial sector of this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country.
Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, he said that the sphere of Sialkot-based industry had been expanded to villages and thousands of labourers were engaged in different industries and due to the spontaneous electricity load shedding, the manufacturing activities had come to standstill.
The SCCI President said that due to load shedding, the exporters had become depressed as their productivity timetable was badly disturbed. He feared that if the situation remained the same, not only the exporter community, but also the whole country would face serious economic loss because of cancellation of highly valuable foreign export orders.
The SCCI President said that if the state of affairs remained the same, the business community would be compelled to close down its industrial units.
The Senior Vice-President of SCCI, who was also present at the press conference, stressed the need for immediate improvement in the system for ensuring smooth business and trade activities in the country. A large number of exporters and manufacturers were also present on the occasion.