July 21, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 10,1423

KARACHI, July 20: Chairman Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association M. Yaqub Karim has strongly criticized Nepra and OGRA for allowing Wapda and KESC for raising 40 paisa per unit hike in power tariff and 33 per cent increase in Mari Gas prices respectively.

In a statement, he said these phenomenal hikes will further increase the hardships of the poor people besides damaging the local industry. Country’s exports will become uncompetitive because of high cost of production. He urged the government to freeze the prices of all utilities for two years so that local industry could be revived.