KARACHI, Feb 27: The All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has expressed anguish over a 10 per cent hike on electricity tariff which it said may deal a death blow to industry because of an additional financial impact of billions of rupees.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Aptma recalled the pressure under which the industry was struggling to compete with regional countries that it maintain are being supported by their governments.

“Pakistan’s competitiveness in the international market is likely to be adversely affected and it may further reduce Pakistan’s market share of global textile market,’’ the Aptma release said, while strongly urging for a quick withdrawal of the 10 per cent increase in electric tariff.

“Pakistan’s textile industry is precariously positioned on the tightrope, and instead of supporting the industry, increase in energy cost may plunge the industry into disastrous freefall,’’ the Aptma warned.

SITE: Imran Shaukat, Chairman, SITE Association of Industry, has also opposed the increase in electricity tariff by 10 per cent for all categories of consumers, adds PPI.

In a statement, Imran Shaukat expressed resentment over the decision of increase in electricity tariff by 10 per cent while the government is well aware of the present position of industries, which are confronted with high input costs which had caused a cripping effect on the industry.