Karachi:Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Central Vice President and leader of the parliamentary party in Sindh Assembly, Haleem Adil Sheikh, has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan fully knows about the problems of the industrialists of Karachi and all-out efforts are being taken to resolve them in the backdrop of present economic scenario.
He expressed these thoughts whole meeting senior industrialists at Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) here Monday. KATI President Sheikh Umar Rehman, Senator Abdul Haseeb, Muhammad Zubair Chaya, PTI leader Sumair Mir Sheikh, KATI vice president Syed Wajid Hussain, Masood Naqi, Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui and Ahtishamuddin were also present.
Sheikh Umar Rehan, giving a presentation on issues of industries, said that the industrialists face cash flow issue as their orders were not completed on time due to lockdown and coronavirus. He said they cannot pay the additional ISPA charges on the KE bills. He said that the industrialists had to go to courts on this issue and some of them had paid these charges, unwillingly.
He said the federal government should take immediate action on this issue. He said that despite the approval of changes from the export-oriented industries at the rate of 7.5 Cents, the KE is reluctant to provide relief to the industrialists. He said the industrialists have to knock the door of court on the issue of concession in tariff and the industrial support package. He said that in a megacity like Karachi there should be no monopoly on electricity sector. He said the government should ensure healthy competition in the electricity sector. He said Karachi provides 65percent of the national revenue, but it is not getting proper justice He said the PTI being the largest elected party from Karachi should play its due role to resolve the issues of the megacity.
Haleem Adil Sheikh on the occasion said that he would convey the reservations of the industrialists during his meeting with the federal minister for power and petroleum Umar Ayub. He; however, managed a telephonic talk on the sport between KATI President and Umar Ayub, in which the federal minister assured to support the stance of the business community on the issue of ISPA charges. He said NEPRA chairman would also be contacted on these issues.
However, Haleem Adil Sheikh assured the KATI office-bearers that his party would get resolve the geniture issues of the industrialists. Sheikh Umar Rehan however praised the decisions of the Prime Minister Imran Khan in the wake of spread of corona virus and hoped that these decisions would help in mitigation the virus crisis. He said the business community at this difficult time praised the efforts of the Prime Minister Imran Khan.