KP traders’ body protests levy on RLNG

PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Zahidullah Shinwari on Monday expressed concern over levy of Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on industrial and commercial units in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a statement, he said that imposing of RLNG over gas consumers in a province, which is already self-sufficient in production of the commodity, is not only illegal, unjustified but is also open violation of Article 158 of the constitution.

He said the business community of KP is already reeling under the impact of militancy and terrorism and imposition of additional burden of RLNG on them was tantamount to economic murder of this province.

The SCCI chief industries were facing a crisis-like situation said due to lacunas in different government policies, lack of interest of relevant departments and because of unfriendly behavior.

Whereas in the prevailing scenario, he continued, overburdening of industries in a province which is already self-sufficient in gas production was conspiracy for economic decline of the region.

The SCCI president expressed the resolve of approaching all the political parties over the development for taking up the issue in the Parliament. He said the issue would be taken to court if proper consideration was not given to their demands.