SCCI slams increase in fuel prices

PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has likened the simultaneous increase in fuel, electricity and gas tariffs to the destruction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa industries.

Chairing a meeting of members of the business community here at the Chamber’s House on Tuesday, SCCI President Fuad Ishaq said KP was self-sufficient in electricity and gas production.

Besides, he added, the province was a net exporter of electricity, gas and oil, but despite that the people here were being burdened with price-hikes which was completely unfair and unacceptable.

Calling for an immediate withdrawal of the recent increase in fuel prices, the SCCI chief said it was a sheer injustice to put the burden of bigger provinces on the people and economy of KP.Expressing concern over the state of affairs, Fuad Ishaq said the KP industries were on the decline as a result of government policies, subsequently triggering unemployment in the province. The SCCI chief said KP had a locational disadvantage as it was far away from the port city. He said the province needed special incentives.