Industrialists decry costly energy, inconsistent policies

Industrialists in Karachi’s SITE Area have urged the government to lower energy costs and provide stable economic policies, warning that manufacturing businesses face mounting pressure. SITE Association of Industry President Abdul Hadi said unreliable supplies and high charges for electricity, gas and water are weighing on production and could put the survival of existing industries at risk.

Hadi called for energy tariffs to be brought closer to levels in neighbouring countries, alongside uninterrupted utility supplies and long-term policies that do not shift with changes in government. He also sought a predictable tax system and lower interest rates, saying political uncertainty was undermining exporters’ ability to secure orders and weakening confidence among international buyers and business partners.

According to Business Recorder, the association said policy changes were disrupting business planning and investor confidence. It argued that restoring confidence was necessary for new investment, industrial expansion, employment and export growth.