While responding to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) call, all leading trade and industrial associations on Monday staged a sit-in outside the Governor's House in the provincial metropolis in protest against the discrimination in gas supply to the industry in Punjab and Reformed General Tax.
Thousands of protesters belonging to all the leading trade and Industrial associations and chambers of commerce in Punjab, including Lahore, Sheikhupura Chambers, All Pakistan Anjum-e-Tajiran, Quomi Tajir Ittehad, Lahore Township Industrial Area Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Shahdra Industrial Association, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Katarbund Road Industrial Association, Ferozepur Road Industrial Association, Steel Melters Association, Steel Re-rolling Mills Association, Pakistan Towels Manufacturers, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, Pakistan Poultry Association, Pakistan Tanners Association, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front, Punjab Plastic Manufacturers Association, Pakistan PVC Pipe Manufacturers Association and All Pakistan CNG Association took part in the rally and chanted slogans against the discrimination in gas supply and Reformed General Sales Tax. The protesters were carrying banners inscribed with slogans against discriminatory attitude of the government.
Addressing the gathering, the trade and industry leaders said the gas suspension plan is a well thought-out conspiracy against the government and the people sitting at the helm of affairs must take notice of it. They said that the entire industry and the industrial workers had been pushed to the wall. "It is not the industry alone that is suffering badly, but it is the entire economy that is facing unprecedented challenges", they said.