Industrialised Pakistan

This refers to the news report, ‘Government soon to notify tariff rate cut’ (January 29). The latest statement by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir about reducing the electricity rate for industries to Rs3 per unit has confirmed that the PML-N considers Pakistanis as second-class citizens. The first priority of the PML-N is the industrial sector. During the 2013 election campaign, Nawaz Sharif had promised an industrialised Pakistan. But now it is clear that the PM’s industrialisation plan will cost us the rights and resources of Pakistanis.

Why is the government reducing the power tariff and offering uninterrupted electricity and gas supplies to industries while leaving ordinary Pakistanis without any gas or electricity? The government has told parliament that domestic consumers have been allocated a meagre 19 percent gas quota. That is why people have been facing gas shortages and low gas pressure during the winter. On the other hand, the government is planning to reduce the electricity rate for industries despite the fact that distribution companies have been facing fund shortages and are suffering heavy line losses. This is not the industrial revolution we want.

Engr Shahryar Khan Baseer

Peshawar