Business community expresses concern over power tariff raise

The business community has expressed serious concerns about increase in power tariff in the head of fuel adjustment charges by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). They said this step is another nail in industry's coffin as the industry is already suffering due to high cost of manufacturing.
They said that the manufacturing sector is already facing high cost of doing business and due to further increase in the power tariff by 96 paisa per unit manufacturing activities would suffer and it would create hindrance in achieving export target as well. They said that the economy is worsening day by day because of continuous increase in gas and electricity prices. They showed deep concerns over the 96 paisa increase in power tariff and termed it an irrational decision, especially for industrial sector, that is already facing enormous problems.
Chairman of Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBAATI) Mohammad Irfan urged the government to hold a meeting with all stakeholders and discuss the issue of high cost of doing business. He said that it is unfair that the government increases tariff without taking business community on board and without consultation. He said increase by 96 paisa in the head of fuel adjustment charges would have serious negative impact on cost of manufacturing and exports. Inflation is already on increase and people will soon feel its impact, he added.
He said that conditions are not favourable as the issue of European Union (EU) tariff concession is yet to materialise and the issue of USA is surfacing. Chairman of Site Association of Industry (SAI) Wahab Lakhani said that industry is finding it difficult to absorb present rate of power tariff, and added that how it can absorb any further increase in it. Chairman of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Johar Ali Qandhari said that the government must bear the fuel adjustment charges instead of passing it to KESC consumers.
He said that the industry is already facing enormous problems to keep the units operating and meet export and revenue targets. He expressed fear that increase if power tariff would force the industry to go out of production, which ultimately would increase unemployment.