May 19, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1423

LAHORE, May 18: The war risk surcharge being charged by the shipping lines from Pakistani exporters after the terror raids on the US soil on September 11 has cost them (exporters) $234 million.

This was stated by Aptma (Punjab) vice-chairman Adil Mehmood in a press release issued here on Saturday. He said the surcharge had increased the cost of Pakistani merchandise and made them uncompetitive in the global markets.

He said the levy of the war risk surcharge was unwarranted as the war was not in the proximity of the shipping lines connecting Pakistan with the global markets. He urged the authorities concerned to press the lines to remove the levy as it was impeding exports.

He also criticized Wapda for unscheduled power shut-downs and frequent tripping in such areas as Chunian, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, where the industry was clustered.

He stated that such shut-downs and tripping had damaged the sophisticated machinery and if the situation was not rectified the millers would have to close down their operations.