Faisal Moiz Khan, President of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), has termed the attempts to raise electricity and gas tariffs in the country as anti-industrial activities.

Faisal Moiz Khan stated that a hearing would be held today (Tuesday) regarding the request by Sui Southern Gas Company to increase the gas price by Rs. 125.41 per MMBTU. Sui Southern has requested an average price of Rs. 1,658.56 per MMBTU, but it believes this request is inappropriate given the current economic conditions. He expressed confidence that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will prioritize easing the difficulties for the domestic industry, rather than adding to them.

The NKATI President also noted that the efforts by the bureaucracy to increase electricity and gas tariffs will hurt the economic activities currently being undertaken by the government. He further stated that the government’s three-year electricity incremental package for the industrial sector will create disparities. Therefore, he urged that the basic tariff for all industries should be reduced. Instead of experimenting with new measures, the bureaucracy should focus on reducing the basic tariff to provide support for the industries.