KARACHI, July 7: Expressing solitary with the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) over its call for a strike on July 11, the leaders of textile industry and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry have urged the government to immediately withdraw the unprecedented hike in gas tariff.

Undoubtedly all trade bodies throughout the country would join the July 11 strike call given by the FCCI, the leaders were unanimous in their views and observed that it was a question of life and death for the entire industry. They were speaking at a joint press conference on Monday at the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) House.

After a long time almost all segments of textiles, having diverse interests and those who had been at loggerheads in the past, were sitting together to raise their voice against unprecedented price-hike in gas tariff which only targeted the industry.Zubair Motiwala, an expert on oil and gas, and former president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), cautioned the government that some elements were trying to bring disrepute to the government.

He said that the business community realises that the government was faced with fiscal space and world oil prices were increasing rapidly, but as far as gas was concerned, it was an indigenous product and its benefits should be shared equally by all citizens on just and fair tariffs.

Mr Motiwala alleged that instead of implementing fair and just gas tariff, the industry as a whole and captive power plants, in particular, were being penalised.

He said how our textile industry could compete when regional countries were not only giving incentives but their gas rates were lower than Pakistan. He urged the government to ensure level-playing field.

Among those who spoke included KCCI President Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, Shabir Ahmed of Pakistan Bedwear Exporter Association, Waqar Monno of All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Dr Shahzad of Cotton Fashion Apparel, Rafiq Godil of Pakistan Knitwear and Sweater Association, Junaid Nawab of Pakistan Woollen Mills Association. Presidents of Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala chambers also spoke on telephone.

All expressed their solidarity with the FCCI over their strike call, and said if they would not agitate, the industry would close down as it would not be able to compete locally with the smuggled goods and in the world market.

Mr Motiwala disclosed that on Tuesday a team of business leaders would meet finance and commerce ministers over the issue and expressed the hope that something positive would come up before the strike call.

Shamim Ahmed Shamsi said it was not only textile industry which had been adversely affected by the hike in gas prices, but also other industries would be hit.

KCCI was receiving complains and agitating letters from confectionary, iron and steel, beverages and many other gas consuming industries.

He feared large-scale closure of industry which might result in lay-offs.

Shabir Ahmed said that everything was getting out of control in terms of input costs.

Paksea chairman Rafiq Godil said that the issue of research and development was lingering on for a long time and was keeping the export sector in turmoil.