SWABI, April 25: Local industrialists have asked the federal government to give a 50 per cent rebate on electricity tariff. This was stated by president of the Gadoon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fazal Amin.

Speaking to journalists here on Sunday, Mr Amin said that Gadoon entrepreneurs were facing a tough time due to the locational disadvantage of the area. The federal government should give incentives to industrialists, adding it was vital for the survival of industries in under-developed areas.

Criticizing the withdrawal of incentives, he said that local people had abandoned poppy cultivation after the government had assured them regarding providing alternative sources of income. He said that if difficulties persisted, local people might decide to revert to growing the banned crop again, adding the government's help was needed in this regard.

Mr Amin said that Federal Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, who was aware of the difficulties faced by the Gadoon industrialists. He said Mr Serpao had played a leading role in the establishment of the Gadoon-Amazai Industrial Estate and he should again come forward to save the industries in the industrial estate.