ISLAMABAD: Industrialists and businessmen have voiced concern over the growing power crisis as the shortfall has shot up to 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts and have urged the government to take urgent measures to overcome the shortage as it will badly affect economic activities besides making life of the common man miserable.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Muhammad Shakeel Munir, while speaking at a meeting of the executive committee, said that load-shedding had swept the country, leaving businesses and homes in the dark at a time when temperature was on the rise.
Urban areas were reportedly experiencing 6 to 10 hours of power outages while rural areas were facing 8 to 16 hours of load-shedding.
Munir pointed out that though Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assured the nation that load-shedding would end soon, the situation demanded immediate and swift measures to tackle the crisis.
Energy is a key requirement for trade and industrial activities while uninterrupted and affordable power supply is essential for accelerated economic growth of the country. Electricity is an important economic indicator as its availability or shortage encourages or discourages local and foreign investors.
