Industry slams caretakers for gas tariff hike, warns of economic fallout

Industrial bodies are up in arms over the government’s recent decision to increase gas tariffs, warning that this move could lead to the shutdown of numerous industrial units, a rise in unemployment, and a halt in exports unless the decision is reversed. In a concerted appeal, they have called on the government to retract the tariff increase for the sake of the national economy and to prevent the industrial sector from collapsing. Asif Inam, chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), expressed serious concerns over the government’s resolution to raise the captive gas price to Rs2,750 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), alongside supplying the industry with a blend of 35 per cent domestic gas and 65pc RLNG, taking the price of captive power generation well above regionally competitive levels.