PVMA chairman says energy crisis is pushing industrialists to shut down their businesses
KARACHI: Industrialists and traders have rejected the inflated power tariff by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
Pakistan Vanaspati Mills Association (PVMA) Chairman Atif Ikram Sheikh said in a statement on Monday. He said the continuous increase in electricity tariff has made it difficult for business community to run industries in Pakistan.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved Rs 0.52 per unit increase in the price of electricity.
Sheikh said that hundreds of industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been closed down due to unaffordable electricity tariff, adding that the industrialists were forced to shut down their businesses due to load shedding and current energy crisis.
He also said that the industrialists have decided to move the court against the increased electricity tariff, fuel adjustment and gas infrastructure development surcharge.
The PVMA chairman also rejected the collection of fuel adjustment in electricity bills. He termed the imposition of fuel adjustment surcharge illegal as KP was producing electricity through hydro sources not from fuel.
He said that the increase in electricity bills was causing inflation and unemployment in the country and cost of doing business would also be increased through such anti-trade steps.
The PVMA chairman demanded that the authorities concerned withdraw the recent increase in power electricity tariff.