FAISALABAD The City

FCCI concerned at increase in power loadshedding
From Our Correspondent
FAISALABAD: A large number of small units have been closed down while many others are on the verge of collapse due to sudden increase in power loadshedding from four hours to 10 hours in Faisalabad.
Talking to newsmen here on Sunday, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) president Rizwan Ashraf expressed concern over increase in loadshedding. He apprehended that increase in power loadshedding would open floodgates of unemployment, which would further complicate the already deteriorated law and order in the city. “Reduced economic activities will have a negative impact on exports and government receipts”, he said. He warned that increased loadshedding was detrimental to the industrial sector as big units were also unable to manage their two shifts with loadshedding of 10 hours. Similarly, the units already working with trimmed capacity were also unable to manage their one shift, he added. After decline in prices of petroleum products, the government had another option of cheap fuel for power generation, he added. He lamented that instead of availing the opportunity, the people as well as the national economy had been put on stake. He said that the government dubbed itself as business-friendly but most of its actions were against the financial viability of the business community. He said that increase in loadshedding had not only dampened the chances for revival of sick units but were also making more units unviable and sick. He has demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif intervene and issue orders to keep the wheel of industry running as it was imperative for economic growth.
Motorcyclist dies: A motorcyclist was killed in a road accident in Civil Lines police limits.
According to police, a speeding motorcycle collided with a donkey cart on Jail Road, leaving Bagh Ali, 30, wounded critically. He was rushed to hospital where he died.