The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has urged the government to take measures for provision of adequate and affordable energy to reduce poverty and improve living standards of the people.
While addressing Pakistan Energy Conference, Ameena Saiyid, President OICCI, said that as energy was the backbone of industry, trade, commerce, agriculture, transportation and of course living, adequate and affordable energy can reduce poverty and improve living standard.
Saiyid said, "there is a direct co-relation between access to electricity and economic well-being." Pakistanis have suffered through unreliable, insufficient, and expensive electricity. "We need to help them reach their potential by recognising and acknowledging the horrendous and far-reaching effects of the severe and growing energy deficit," she maintained.
Thousands of business enterprises have shut down in Pakistan because of chronic energy shortage leaving hundreds of thousands jobless. In despair, these jobless workers can turn to crime and extremism. "Thus the lack of energy affects business, homes, and society. The importance of the provision of adequate and affordable energy cannot be underestimated," Saiyid added.