LCCI Elections 2011-12: PIAF-Founders Alliance to ensure implementation of manifesto

The 10-point manifesto of PIAF-Founders Alliance for the LCCI Elections 2011-12 includes urging the government to end energy crisis, ensure gas supply to Punjab and start immediate construction of Kala Bagh Dam. The PIAF-Founders Alliance has formed its manifesto committee under the chairmanship of LCCI Senior Vice President Sheikh Mohammad Arshad.
The Alliance leadership will ensure the implementation of its manifesto. According to the PIAF-Founders Alliance manifesto, the Alliance would urge the government to end energy crisis on war footing as the survival of the industry is at stake due to acute shortage of electricity. Foreign investors are reluctant to initiate new projects in Pakistan while a large number of industrial units have closed down their operations or shifted to other countries. Graph of unemployment is going up rapidly.
The PIAF-Founders Alliance would launch a campaign in collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce & Industry and trade bodies to generate cheap electricity and the government would be asked to start construction of dams including Kalabagh. The Alliance would also press the government to avoid further increase in the power tariff as the electricity prices in Pakistan are already much higher than the other countries in the region. Wapda and other departments were putting the burden on line losses and electricity theft on the industrial and domestic users.
A comprehensive research report would be prepared by the LCCI Research & Development Department and government would be urged the initiate reforms in the Wapda, Pepco and Lesco. PIAF-Founders Alliance would raise its voice against suspension of gas supply to the industrial areas and discrimination with Punjab in gas provision. It would prepare comprehensive proposals to the government to boost the exports.
It is a matter of concern that in 60s a number of Far Eastern countries have less exports than Pakistan in that period and today each of them have much bigger exports volume as compared to Pakistan. These countries are ahead of Pakistan because of political harmony, ideal law and order situation and above all consultation with the stakeholders.
The Alliance would also urge the government to initiate reforms in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as the tax machinery was creating harassment among the business community. FBR remains busy in introducing unrealistic and unjustified amendments in the tax system and created hurdle in smooth running of businesses.