SITE body urges govt to slash high tariffs

President of the SITE Association of Industry, Muhammad Kamran Arbi, has called on the government to address the issue of exorbitant electricity tariffs for all consumer categories, particularly for export and general industries. In a press statement on Monday, Arbi emphasised the need to rationalise tariffs based on the actual cost of production.

Arbi highlighted growing unrest within the business community over soaring electricity bills, which are making Pakistani industries, both export-oriented and domestic, uncompetitive in international markets. He pointed out that competitors like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Egypt have a significant edge due to lower energy costs.

“Pakistan lacks a competitive edge in industrial energy costs, placing us at the bottom,” Arbi stated. He stressed the necessity of energy security—reliable and affordable electricity, gas, and water—for industrial production.