Pakistan industrialists have opposed the anticipated increase of Rs 5.36 per unit in base electricity tariff citing that it would strike a blow to the industry, media reports said.

Resenting frequent hikes in the power tariff, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former president Mian Anjum Nisar said it would turn Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international market. According to a statement issued on Saturday, he termed it unfortunate that the average electricity uniform rate would gradually rise to Rs21.04 per unit and that too after excluding taxes, duties and surcharges, reports The Express Tribune.

The cumulative impact of the rebasing in July 2021 has been worked out at a burden of Rs414 billion on the power consumers, said Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir, the newspaper reported.

FPCCI Senior Vice President Shahzeb Akram even asked for the introduction of power sector reforms, resolving the matter of overbilling, technical losses and transmission issues and stressed promotion of off-grid solutions and incentives for renewable energy solutions.

“If the government failed to take immediate measures, the power sector is likely to choke up due to hefty outstanding dues,” he was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune

(IBNS)