Gas price hike to negate KP’s efforts for planned industrialisation

PESHAWAR
PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz has strongly opposed the proposed increase in the gas prices for the industry, stating that it would be extremely detrimental for the industrial sector which is already uncompetitive in the region due to highest utility prices in the country.
In a statement issued here Thursday, he said the dream of national economic growth could not be accomplished without the growth in industrial production but the proposed price increase of 52% for the industrial consumers will further worsen the output of the gas-fed industries.
He added that the price increase will be taken up in the Senate when the session is called next month.
It is ironic that on one hand there are plans for the allocation of gas share for industrial use and power generation in Khyber Pakhtunkwa and on the other hand the federal government is planning a huge increase in the gas prices.
Now when allocation of gas is in the final stage of sanction by the federal government, the proposed increase would negate the efforts of KP’s government for planned industrialization and affordable electricity.
This new gas price is not feasible for the proposed plans to generate energy which KP desperately needs.
 He further robustly stressed that the government should reconsider this price increase and there should be a rationale in this increase not overlooking the natural gas prices in the region.
As Pakistan’s regional competitors with cheaper gas price will enhance their industrial output making us uncompetitive in the international market, this destroying economic activity in the country.