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Pakistan Business Leaders Demand Drastic Power Tariff Cuts to Boost Competitiveness
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News18•30-09-2026, 14:30
Pakistan Business Leaders Demand Drastic Power Tariff Cuts to Boost Competitiveness
- •Pakistani business leaders urge significant reduction in electricity prices, citing high energy costs as a barrier to competitiveness compared to regional counterparts.
- •FPCCI Patron-in-Chief S.M. Tanvir highlighted that electricity costs, though down to 12 cents, remain much higher than the approximately seven cents charged in some neighboring countries.
- •Tanvir also raised concerns about multiple taxes, high policy rates, fuel shortages, and alleged intimidation by FBR officials, while emphasizing the necessity of tax revenue.
- •Business leaders called for improved industrial facilities and infrastructure in Hyderabad, with President-elect Nadeem Siddiqui noting poor infrastructure limits the SITE industrial area's potential despite its significant production.
- •FPCCI President Atif Ikram Shaikh pledged support for Hyderabad's business community and plans to discuss a cargo railway service with the federal railways minister.
Key Questions Answered
FPCCI Patron-in-Chief S.M. Tanvir stated that electricity costs for Pakistani businesses dropped from roughly 17 cents to 12 cents, but this remains significantly higher than the approximately seven cents charged in some regional countries.
Tanvir expressed concern over multiple taxes, high policy rates, fuel shortages, and alleged that FBR officials were entering factories to intimidate businesspeople, while emphasizing that tax revenue is still necessary to run the economy.
President-elect Nadeem Siddiqui noted that Hyderabad's SITE industrial area generates an estimated Rs120 billion to Rs200 billion through industrial production, though poor infrastructure continues to limit its potential.