The major trade bodies, including Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), expressed their deep concern over the long and unscheduled load shedding of electricity.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday evening, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Hassan Ali Bhatti expressed deep concern over the long hours of load-shedding and said that production activities had totally come to a standstill, as a result of which, the business community was facing serious hardship.
The Industrial sector of this export-oriented city and the hub of the cottage industry of the country was adversely affected from load shedding and the high cost of electricity, which would ultimately generate unemployment in Sialkot, he said. The SCCI President said that Sialkot was producing value-added products and contributing 1 billion dollars to the national exchequer. This city was globally known for producing quality products.
Under the prevailing situation of load shedding, the industrial sector was facing multifarious problems and was unable to fulfil its international export commitments, as foreign buyers were reluctant and hesitant in negotiating and placing new orders with the business community of the area, he pointed out.
The SCCI President further stated that productivity had come to a stand still, in and around Sialkot, due to long and unscheduled load shedding. Adding that it was very unfortunate that the concerned authorities were not paying proper heed to resolving the electricity crisis, he said that this export city was suffering economically with its exports seriously affected. The exports of the city were decreasing day by day.
So far, no remedial steps had been taken in this regard, he added. Hassan Bhatti expressed his fear and said that if the electricity situation remained the same, it would cause a serious setback to the national economy.
He pointed out that due to unscheduled load shedding, crime was increasing day by day, and people feeling scared with the increase of criminal activities. other exporters, while expressing their views, said that despite load shedding, Wapda was demanding the entire bill from consumers, which was unjust. They also pointed out that due to load shedding, there was a considerable increase in street crimes.
Adding, that production had come to a standstill and the business community of the area was under serious economic constraints. They stressed the need of reducing incidents of power thefts and the urged that outstanding arrears should be recovered to overcome the electricity crisis at the earliest.