Canada Global(Web News)The business leaders of Karachi have warned that if the gas tariff is not reduced to Rs 1350 per mmbtu, the industries will be forced to shut down and in connection with the protests across the port city of Karachi. Exports will be phased out.
This warning came out during a press conference at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry where representatives of various sectors expressed solidarity with the chamber and supported the demand.
Wearing black armbands and displaying banners outlining their demands, the business community insisted on a fair gas tariff of Rs 1,350 per mmbtu and Rs 2,100 to Rs 2,600 per mmbtu. Strongly rejected the current gas tariff. According to them, the new gas tariff unfairly burdens industries with cross-subsidies for sectors like fertilizer, household and power, which they consider undeserving.
“Today’s press conference will not be the end of the story,” Business Group Vice Chairman Javed Balwani said, outlining his plan of action. Day”. If the government does not heed their demands by the first week of December, they plan to intensify their protests, including shutting down industries for two or three days a week.
Balwani expressed disappointment that despite repeated appeals through newspapers, no top government official visited the KCCI to resolve the issue.
Highlighting the disparity in gas rates, Balwani pointed out that the gas tariff for the fertilizer sector in the neighboring country was $6.5 per mmbtu, while in Pakistan it was supplied at a much lower rate. He criticized the subsidy given to the fertilizer sector, which he claimed was being smuggled, and equated it to gas smuggling.