Power tariff hike a mortal blow to trade and industry: FPCCI

Lahore: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has rejected the recent hike in the power tariff terming it worst form of misuse of authority which is the result of an unholy alliance between the government and the IMF against innocent masses.

The upward revision in power price is a cruel joke with the masses and the superior judiciary putting the future of the country at stake leaving the business community with no option but to take to the streets, said Zubair Ahmed Malik, President FPCCI.

Speaking to the business community, he said that government’s decision will result in closure of thousands of industries and businesses, leave millions unemployed, trigger brain drain and unleash a new round of rapid exodus of units.

Those rushing out of the country en masse will send money to their families so that they can survive while the government will give credit of rise in remittances to their ‘business-friendly’ policies, he said.

The FPCCI Chief said that the barbarous decision is to damage the reputation of the PML-N forever leaving rulers with little options to escape strong reaction of the frustrated masses with heavy political cost.

Government will continue the upward revision in prices as far as they are in power which will arrest all the economic activities transforming Pakistan into a failed satellite state which is the hidden agenda of the international lender, he added.

Government seems concerned about honouring the secret deal with the IMF but it is least bothered about promises with the business community and the masses, he said, adding that deprived are being punished for voting PML-N to power in the hope of better days.

The business leader noted that rulers continue to bribe nobility, patronise tax evasion to the tune of trillions, and energy theft amounting to Rs 250 billion while pushing masses to the wall which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that unsuccessful economic managers have been playing with the fate of the country while paving way to civil disobedience and a mutiny. Pakistan may face the very events now taking place in Egypt, Libya and Latin America.

Government policies have been rejected by the masses and their displeasure reflected in the recent by-election of Faisalabad while the results of Local Body elections will expose the tall claims of popularity of the PML-N.

Pakistan faced Musharraf’s martial law due to the blunders of the ruling party which has initiated steps that will soon act as an open invitation to the third power, he observed.

The masses should not pay for the failures of the government and the crimes of the rubber stamp institution called Nepra, said Zubair.