PESHAWAR
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting president Ijaz Khan Afridi rejected the further unprecedented increase in prices of petroleum products, which, he termed, it would prove detrimental for the country’s economy, and it should be withdrawn immediately.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Ijaz Khan Afridi expressed apprehension that a new wave of inflation would come after another whopping increase in petroleum commodities.
He added the cost of industrial production would also increase, consequently, prices will go up that could directly affect inflation-stricken people.
Mr Afridi said the business community has pinned high hopes on the incumbent caretaker government. He said: we expect that the interim government will take measures to put the ailing national economy on the right track.
He said the economy, businesses and industries have confronted a severe crisis owing to flawed economic policies of the former governments.
He said many industries were shut down owing to rising power and gas tariff that has triggered unemployment in the province.
The SCCI’s acting president urged the caretaker government to adopt business-friendly policies and provide a special relief and incentive to the business community under a comprehensive plan.
Ijaz Afridi warned that the chamber along with traders will strongly protest if the enforcement of anti-business policies were not stopped forthwith.
He was of the view that prices of petroleum commodities had been reduced in neighourning countries but prices are continuing increasing in Pakistan, which was completely incomprehensible and unacceptable.
The chamber’s president said the incumbent caretaker government should sense the gravity of the situation and take steps to flourishing business and industries to support the fragile country’s economy.
Ijaz Afridi asked the caretaker prime minister to make consultation with chambers and relevant stakeholders for economic and industrial growth.
He furthermore demanded that a special incentive package should be announced to revive business and industries in terrorism-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
