ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Thursday hailed PEPCO decision to exempt textile sector from power loadshedding and demanded that the facility should be extended to all industries.

Addressing a meeting here, ICCI President Yassar Sakhi Butt said that most of the industrial units have reduced their working to single shifts from the previous three-shift system due to power loadshedding.

He said that decline in the industrial sector growth had been one of the major reasons of the lowest GDP growth. He stressed on the need for uninterrupted power supply for the industrial revival and for achieving sustainable industrial growth.

Butt said that efforts should be made to enhance the power generation from the existing power plants.

He said that the recommendations and decisions of the second energy conference should be implemented to ensure uniform load management across the country especially for the industrial sector.

He said that local industries have been facing strong competition at international markets from regional competitors where electricity cost was lower and manufacturers were also enjoying special exemption.

He urged the government to direct the authorities concerned to provide smooth electricity and gas supply to all the industrial units.