FAISALABAD, Aug 18: Industrialists and textile exporters pin hope on the coalition government for solution of their problems as they feel the resignation of President Musharraf will end uncertainty persisting in the country after February elections.

Former president of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Mohammad Hanif said that the rupee and stock exchange reacted positively after the president announced his resignation.

He said now coalition parties should sit together to address the problems of industry. Industrialists should also be taken into confidence when framing policies for them, he said.

Former zonal chairman All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association Mian Aftab said that the industrialists had been facing financial crunch owing to high prices of gas and electricity. The government had promised a cut in gas prices, but was unable to do it due to the uncertainty prevailing in the country.

A textile exporter Arif Surriya demanded subsidy on energy and said in this way the government could make the textile sector capable to meet the international challenges.

However, he saw no signs that the government would resolve all outstanding issues right away.

Entrepreneurs of Faisalabad, which is also known as textile capital of Pakistan, had observed a five day strike from July 11-15 in protest against surge in the prices of gas, electricity and petroleum products.

Former chairman of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association Arif Touseef said no body could save the industry from collapse if the government, which now enjoyed a heavy mandate, failed to resolve the problems of the industrialists.

Mr Arif said by facilitating the industry the government could control different problems like price hike, law and order, poverty and unemployment.