KARACHI, Dec 23: The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea) flaying the 17 per cent increase in gas tariffs has said that it will adversely hit the export oriented-industries.

In a statement issued on Friday, Prgmea Sindh-Balochistan Zone chairman Atiq A Kochra said that Pakistan’s textile products were already facing stiff competition in the world market after abolition of quotas and the latest increase in gas prices would render them uncompetitive.

He said that there was a marked difference in new gas rates announced by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Company (SNGC) for industries.

According to new price schedule, he said, the industries in Sindh would have to pay more than the industries located in Punjab. “This is great injustice and glaring discrimination meted out to the industries in the province of Sindh.”

Kochra pointed out that the fertilizer industry had been exempted from the increase in gas tariff. However, he suggested that the export-oriented industries, which are earning precious foreign exchange, should also be exempted from the tariff increase.