The association pointed out that Ogra had increased gas prices by 13.06percent for commercial and industrial consumer with effect from January 1,2005.
As gas is a major portion of cost of production and due to a host of factors of production cost has already been higher, continuos increase of gas rates and other utilities have left the industrialists and traders deprived of exporters due to severe international competition.
"Recent increase in gas price would adversely affect the exporters to compete with China, India, Bangladesh etc," the release added. "It is very strange to note that on one hand government supplies gas connections to mega projects and on the other hand it cuts off supply to existing industries".
The association appealed to the President Musharraf Prime Minister to withdraw the decision and business representatives be included in Ogra.-PR