The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday called for abolition of recently imposed customs duty on energy saving electric equipment to bring them in the reach of all.
The LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad while speaking at the meeting of LCCI Executive Committee said that zero custom duty on all energy saving equipment like LED and SMD is a must to bridge the gap between energy demand and supply.
The LCCI President said that Pakistan is an energy starved-country and there is a dire need to take extra ordinary measures to fill the electricity demand and supply gap but illogical decisions like imposition of duty on energy saving equipment like LED (light emitting diode) and SMD (surface mounted diode) are being taken.
He said that all sorts of energy saving equipment should be exempted from all kinds of taxes and duties to get rid of the load shedding within the shortest possible time. He said that all kind solar equipment should also be included in the list of duty-free items to encourage utilization of alternative energy resources.
"We all are aware of the present challenges to our economy and especially the menace widely caused due to severe energy crisis. We desperately need some good alternatives and viable solutions in this connection" he added.
While speaking on the occasion, the LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder hoped that government would accelerate its efforts for the promotion of alternative energy resources besides allowing duty free import of all energy saving equipment to bring them in the reach of common man.