APTMA demands implementation of power tariff announced by PM Nawaz
Economy would suffer further if required steps are not taken, says association chairman
LAHORE (Dunya News) – All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has demanded the government to cut power tariff as production worth USD 3.7 billion has been affected, Dunya News reported Thursday.
The association stated that higher power rates and energy crisis have caused the loss worth billions of dollars.
Association Chairman Tariq Saud has demanded tariff to be reduced by Rs 3 per unit as per the announcement by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif. National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and the Ministry of Water and Power have not followed the instruction so far.
He said that mills’ owners are facing issues to set imported products’ prices owing to indecisive power tariff.
He foreboded further loss to the economy if the government does not take required steps at the right time.
Earlier on January 27, the APTMA demanded the government to wave off customs duty on cotton imports while provision of five percent rebate on textile products export.
The association put forth the demands in light of low cotton production.
Currently the importers are paying three percent customs duty on cotton. The association has also demanded a five percent rebate on export of textile products.
The chairman had said that at least 110 factories are shut at the time.
He said that as many as 40 mills could open without delay if the government imposes ten percent duty on import of artificial yarn and clothes.
Saud further said that the act would increase government’s finances.
