KARACHI, Feb 5: Industry and exporters have expressed their concern over the rapid rise in POL and gas prices, saying the increase is adding to the cost of production and making Pakistani products uncompetitive in the world market.

Former chairman of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati), Sheikh Manzar Alam in a statement issued here on Saturday said that whereas President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were trying their utmost to provide incentives to boost exports, attract foreign investment and meet the challenges of the WTO regime, oil marketing companies are bent upon to nullify these efforts.

He said within a month POL prices were raised twice. Not only this, Mr Alam said, gas companies requested Ogra to allow increase in gas prices by six to nine per cent and in case it was allowed it would have an adverse impact on the cost of production of exporting industries.