Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) President Saleem-uz-Zaman has said that the NCOC should reconsider its decision regarding oxygen supply in which the supply of oxygen has been restricted to COVID-19 patients only. If this decision is implemented, there is a danger of shortage of life-saving drugs in the country.

He said that complaints have been received from KATI members related to the pharma industry, under which the supply of oxygen to the pharma industry has been cut off while oxygen is an essential component in the manufacture of various life-saving drugs including heart disease and cancer.

Saleem-uz-Zaman said that after the decision of the NCOC, the pharma industry was facing difficulties in manufacturing medicines due to lack of oxygen. President KATI said that Pakistan’s largest pharmaceutical companies are present in the Korangi Industrial Area, while Asia’s largest pharma company is also present here.

He appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chairman NCOC Asad Umar to exempt the pharma industry from this decision so that the manufacture of life-saving drugs could continue uninterrupted.

He also demanded immediate restoration of oxygen supply to pharmaceutical companies to save the lives of people suffering from life-threatening diseases other than COVID.