KARACHI, 27 OCT (DNA) – Industrialists and traders have rejected the recent hike in power prices. The continuous increase in electricity prices have made it difficult for business man to run their industries in Pakistan.
Power prices are unaffordable for business man and industrialist. This is stated by Atif Ikram sheikh, President Harripur Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Chairman Pakistan Vanaspati Mills Association.
He said that “hundred of industries in Khyber Pakhtonkhaw closed due to un-affordable energy prices. Industrialist are forced to shut down their businesses due to load shedding and energy crisis”.
Industrialists have decided to go to the court against the increase in electricity price, fuel adjustment and gas infrastructure development surcharge. “Collection of Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge in fuel adjustment form the industrialists of Khyber Pakhtonkhwa through presidential ordinance is ill-legal Supreme Court of Pakistan has already decided to stop collection of GIDC, while the Peshawar High Court has issued a stay order against it”. Atif said.
He has also rejected the collection of fuel adjustment in electricity bills. “Khyber Pakhtonkhawa is producing extra electricity against its demand, and most of it being produced through Hydel sources not from fuel, imposing fuel adjustment surcharge on Khyber Pakhtonkhwa’s industrialists is also ill-legal”.
He said that” increase in electricity bills causing inflation and unemployment in the country. Cost of doing business has increased many times in one year while the load shedding has not decreased”.
He demanded that the recent increase in electricity prices with draw immediately and collection of GIDC stopped; otherwise industrialists would be force to protest against the government at every level. DNA
