Karachi, The North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NIKATI) is facing a challenging period due to an increase in gas tariffs, gas shortages, and frequent shutdowns, NIKATI President Faisal Moeez Khan. These issues are severely impacting the industrial production process, making it difficult for exporters to fulfill orders and particularly affecting the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
According to North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, President Khan expressed these concerns during a luncheon hosted in honor of the media. The event was attended by key business figures and NIKATI officials, including Senior Vice President Shabir Ismail, Younis Khamisani, Sajjad Wazir, Naeem Haider, Imran Moeez Khan, Syed Usman Ali, Sadiq Muhammad, Saad ullah Chhra, Muhammad Ibrahim, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Naqvi.
Khan highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the ongoing gas crisis might lead to the shutdown of industries in Karachi. He emphasized the importance of the industrial sector, which contributes significantly to the country’s revenue through taxes. Despite these challenges, Khan noted that Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had assured industrialists of resolving the gas tariff issue. However, the problem persists.
Furthermore, Khan questioned the non-implementation of the 18th amendment in Sindh, which contrasts with its application in other provinces like KPK, where local gas is utilized within the province itself. He warned that if industrial closures begin, the Karachi Industrial Forum, led by Javed Balwani, will need to decide on an action plan, with a final announcement expected in the coming days.
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