ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will suffer a loss of 1.5 per cent in its total industrial production due to the recent disturbances, Mr M.M. Ahmed, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission said here today [May 23]

He told the newsmen the industrial sector lost ten working days, in the major industrial cities due to strikes and other disturbances. The factories which were working three shifts would not be able to make up the lost days, although those working one or two shifts could do so.

Pakistan’s total industrial production was estimated at Rs 6,000 crore a year, which meant that the disturbances resulted in a production loss of Rs 10 crore. Industry, being a contributor of 10 per cent of the Gross National Product, the loss in growth rate of the country would be 0.15 per cent. — Agency

[Meanwhile, as reported by an agency in Dacca,] The East Pakistan Government has extended by one month the time-limit for submission of the reports by the committees, set up to enquire into the causes of public resentment against the Basic Democrats and functionaries connected with local Government institutions, an official source told [agency] today [May 23]. The committees set up at district and divisional levels last month under the direction of the MLA Zone ‘B’ are now to submit their specific recommendations by June 15.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2019