Struggle for remaining demands will continue: FCCI chief

Government has already accepted demands of industrialists for the supply of electricity, gas

FAISALABAD: The government has accepted demands of industrialists for the supply of electricity at 7.5 cents and gas at $6.5 per unit but peaceful struggle for the acceptance of the remaining demands will continue, said Rana Sikandar Azam, President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

He was talking to the business community after meeting a special team constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve their genuine problems. The meeting was also attended by Punjab Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar and other key officials.

Azam pointed out that businessmen had been given assurances that electricity and gas would be provided at 7.5 cents and $6.5 per unit respectively, including all taxes.

The government team also assured the industrialists that the notifications issued by the energy ministry for the recovery of electricity arrears would be withdrawn very soon, he said.

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"It is a positive outcome for the businessmen and industrialists; the government has been forced to accept our demands," he remarked.

Turning to issues of 17% sales tax, no tax no refund regime and enhancing the limit of Rs100 million up to Rs1,000 million for the recovery of withholding tax, the FCCI president said their struggle would continue and negotiations with government officials would start very soon.

"These demands will also be accepted if we remain united," he stressed and called for freezing electricity and gas tariffs at current levels till the addition of substantial cheap hydroelectric power to the system.

"Provision of electricity and gas at competitive rates is imperative, particularly for exporters so that they could compete with regional competitors," Azam said.

"Any ups and downs in energy prices can be met from national resources as it will help our exporters to win maximum export orders."

The FCCI chief emphasised that the government should now focus on remaining demands of the business community so that business slump could be eliminated and exports could be given a quantum boost.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th, 2020.

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