Faisal Moiz Khan, President of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), today condemned ongoing efforts to increase gas and electricity tariffs, labeling them as “anti-industrial activities” that threaten to undermine the nation”s economic progress.
In a statement, Khan highlighted a request from the Sui Southern Gas Company to raise gas prices by Rs. 125.41 per MMBTU. He characterized the proposed average price of Rs. 1,658.56 per MMBTU as inappropriate given the prevailing economic climate.
The NKATI President conveyed his expectation that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will prioritize easing the difficulties for the domestic industry rather than adding to them. He asserted that such tariff hikes, driven by the bureaucracy, would negatively impact the government”s own economic initiatives.
Khan also criticized the government”s three-year incremental electricity package for the industrial sector, warning that it would create disparities among businesses. He urged officials to abandon experimental measures and instead focus on providing tangible support by implementing a broad reduction of the basic utility tariff for all industries.