By Our Correspondent LAHORE: In a press conference held on Saturday, Zaki Aijaz, Vice President and Regional Chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), strongly rejected the electricity/winter facility package proposed by the government, stating that it was unacceptable in its current form.
“We do not accept the electricity/winter facility package in any way. We reject it,” Zaki Aijaz emphasized. “If the government truly wants to provide affordable electricity through this facility package, it should be implemented without any further delays.”
Zaki Aijaz expressed deep concern over the ongoing delays surrounding the issue of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). “We are witnessing the demise of industry every day, with businesspeople facing dire circumstances, including suicides,” he remarked. “The price of electricity should not exceed Rs 26 per unit for the survival of businesses in this country.”
In his address, Aijaz referred to a prior commitment made by Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, who had assured FPCCI of three sessions, each lasting three hours, to discuss and improve the facility package based on FPCCI’s suggestions.
Regarding the recent formation of FPCCI’s committee, Aijaz stated that the Patron-in-Chief of UBG/FPCCI, S.M Tanveer, and President Atif Ikram Sheikh had announced a five-member FPCCI committee. This committee consists of FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Vice President and Regional Chairman Zaki Aijaz, Vice President Asif Inam, KATI Chairman Rehan Javed, and APTMA Energy Advisor Tariq Basharat Cheema.
Zaki Aijaz further called for the government to promptly announce its own committee to resolve the matter, emphasizing the urgency of making electricity cheaper, reviving industries, and reducing the current economic crisis.
“If electricity is not made more affordable immediately, more industries will collapse, leading to further unemployment,” he warned. “We welcome Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s statement that ‘doing business is not the government’s job,’ but the government’s role is to facilitate. A conducive business environment is critical for the country’s economy, and if created, it will lead to rapid economic growth.”
FPCCI stands firm in its position, advocating for immediate reforms to address the energy crisis, save industries, and create a more business-friendly environment for the betterment of the nation’s economy.
