Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (Piaf) and representatives of other trade organisations have said increase in patrol, gas and electricity prices would render national industry out of the race of international competition. "It seemed that utility providers have fixed their turn to increase their service charges, multiplying the problems being faced by the national industry. Such a situation would make it impossible to overcome trade deficit, unemployment and poverty," said Piaf vice-chairman Mian Abuzar Shad here on Monday.

He said repeated increase in the industrial input by the utilities under government control was negating the government claims that national industry was ready to face the WTO era. He called upon the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to withdraw the recent increase in gas charges and expected hike in the electricity rates.

Lahore Township Industries Association (LTIA) Chairman Nasrullah Mughal and Senior Vice-Chairman Khawaja Shahzad Nasir termed over eight percent recent increase in gas prices as an unjustifiable burden on the industry.

In a joint statement, they said the industry was yet to survive the shock of Rs 5.50 increase in patrol price during last 45 days, when gas prices were raised and rumours of raise in electricity charges started circulating. Describing this situation as very harmful for industry, they said that industrial sector should be provided cheaper utility package.

Autoparts Exporters Association (AEA) Chairman Tahir Javed Malik termed repeated increase in utility prices as anti-industry step. He alleged that pace of manufacturing sector was slowing down due to high utility charges, which might result in decreasing the export volume. He said the government should take wise steps and not allow a free hand to utilities to increase its charges.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005