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PESHAWAR: Industrialists of Mardan and Nowshera on Monday opposed fuel adjustment in electricity bills and warned that if the recent increase in fuel adjustment was not withdrawn, they would shut down their businesses.
Mardan Industries Association (MIA) president Mohammad Sajjad Khan told a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club that energy crisis couple with increase in power tariff had already led to closure of scores of industrial units in the province and that fuel adjustment had added to the people’s misery.
Accompanied by Jhangira Industrial Estate Association president Fazilat Shah and Risalpur Industrialists Association president Ijaz Shah, Mr Sajjad said industrialists repeatedly appealed to the government for help but in vain and that the situation had forced them into moving the court for it.
He said industrialists would observe complete strike by shutting down industrial estates in the province and move the court against fuel adjustment in power bills.
The MIA president said industrialists hit by militancy and flashfloods desperately needed the government’s support. He said the situation had greatly decreased industrial growth to the misery of poor workers.
“The decision on fuel adjustment will multiply the workers’ misery and therefore, the government should review its decision,” he said.
Mr Sajjad said livelihood of thousands of employees depended on industrial units whose closure could generate massive joblessness and thus, creating unrest in society.
He criticised the government for failing to provide employment opportunities to its people and said educated people had been pushed from pillar to post for jobs and that any decision against industries would add to unemployment rate.
The MIA president demanded fuel adjustment exemption for the people from troubled areas in the province.
He urged the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries to go for proactive steps against the government’s anti-people policies and moves.
