President Lasbela Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Dr Muhammad Aslam while commenting on the increase of gas tariff has urged the government to immediately withdraw this unilateral increase in gas tariff particularly for the industrial consumers in order to avoid possible closure of industries and downsizing.
LCCI President said that the high tariff of electricity coupled with prolong outages, increase in the bank mark-up rate and 60 to 80 per cent increase in the prices of raw materials have badly affected industrial production and ruined industrial climate
The increase in gas tariff will further aggravate the situation and the industries will be forced to close down, which will result in unemployment, non fulfilment of export orders and shortage of essential item in the local market.
Dr Muhammad Aslam proposed that instead of taking unilateral decision on the economic issues the government should take the business community into confidence in order to make policy overcome the economic crisis and revival of industry. Dr Aslam urged the government to immediately withdraw the hike in gas tariff, revert the electricity tariff and take appropriate measures to reduce the bank mark-up rate.-PR