RECORDER REPORT
FAISALABAD: Iran-Pakistan (IP) Gas Pipeline is very crucial for economic growth of the country, the project would provide uninterrupted gas supply to industry on affordable cost, government need not to accept any pressure, said Mian Zahid Aslam, President, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).
Talking to media persons, he appreciated the signing of the project soon and hoped that the gas shortage would be overcome to a greater extent with the commencement of supplies as planned.
Quoting on future shortage of gas he said, Pakistan will face shortfall of gas to 1445 mmcfd in the year 2013-14 against demand of 3638 mmcfd.
There would be increased shortfall of 1872 mmcfd in 2014-15 against demand of 3558 mmcfd and 2092 mmcfd in the year 2015-16 against demand of 3888 mmcfd, he added.
He said that IP Gas Pipeline would usher in further prospects of investment opportunities and closer economic ties in the area.
“Pakistan should take benefit of the gas resources available with Iran to meet its energy needs and overcome the looming energy crisis.”
He said that natural gas is the basic raw material in use by the industries and clean fuel for domestic needs and there is no alternative fuel available of comparative cost.
He said that GDP growth of the economy has lowered down to the extent of 2-3 per cent per annum owing to the severe shortage of gas and electricity retarding the industrial and business activities in the country.
He appreciated the government stance on the IP gas pipeline and said that it should not accept any pressure as Pakistan is struggling for its economic survival. International community and those who are opposing this project might understand the problems of Pakistan as this project is in the larger interest of its economy and to provide uninterrupted gas supply to industry on affordable cost resulting into mobilizing the internal and external investments in the country.
US has already signed a large number of agreements with India under Indo-US nuclear deals in its best interests, he added.
Chamber Chief further said that the industrial sector particularly the textile, which is the largest contributor in the national exports and the largest provider of employment in the country needs special attention of the government.
He urged that SRO culture needs to be discouraged as it is hampering the industrial and business activities badly.
Frequent Issuance of SROs by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is never acceptable as it deteriorates the industrial planning and production cost unfeasible.
He urged the government to withdraw SRO 154(1)/2013 and SRO 98(1)2013 immediately as these SROs have been issued without consultation with the business community. The business community is completely in a fix with the issuance of such SROs causing seriously to choke the industrial and business activities particularly for textile sector.
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