SCCI terms simultaneous increase in fuel, power and gas prices as a destruction for industries

PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Fuad Ishaq termed simultaneous increase in fuel, electricity and gas prices a news of destruction for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa industries.

Fuad while chairing a meeting of members of the business community here at the chamber house on Tuesday said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is self-sufficient in electricity and gas production.

Besides, he added Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a net exporter of electricity, gas and oil, despite the fact that the burden of price-hike on this province along with other developed provinces is putting on this province, which is completely unfair and unacceptable. 

The SCCI chief demanded of the government to immediately withdraw the recent increase in fuel prices.

He was of the view that it was sheer unjust to put the burden of larger provinces on the people and economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, industries are rapidly descending as a result of government policies, subsequently triggering unemployment in the province, Mr Ishaq said.

He added the current scenario has created great unrest among people and it may fear a law and order situation in the province.

Fuad said there could not be ruled out a locational disadvantage of KP as it is far away from port city.

The SCCI chief described increase of electricity, gas and petroleum commodities prices as usurping rights of the smaller federating units. 

Fuad said KP has been blessed with abundant natural resources, wherein oil, gas, electricity along with mineral deposits were available in surplus.

He called to take benefits from these all natural reserves and its fruits should be given to industries and businesses so people won’t go to other provinces for earning livelihoods for their families and they can get jobs and do business in this province.

The SCCI president  said petrol, gas, electricity use as a raw material in industries when their prices went up so that have also increased cost of industrial production, resultantly increasing prices of daily use items that is affecting common man miserably and business community also in great trouble.

He warned if the government won’t realize these things instantly then “khuda na khasta” (God forbid), the country would go towards chaos and the situation couldn’t be controllable.