KARACHI: The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) has urged the government to immediately withdraw the recent fuel surcharge and release the long-pending Rs33 billion incremental consumption package announced during the Covid period.
During an interactive session at KATI, NEPRA Member Technical (Sindh) Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh announced that the authority will formally initiate a debate on the power load factor following KATI’s proposal. He said NEPRA is actively working to address tariff-related challenges and other issues confronting the industrial sector.
Sheikh noted that in recent years NEPRA has increased consultations with industrial associations and stakeholders in cities including Faisalabad, Sialkot, Karachi and KATI, leading to a deeper understanding of industry concerns. He emphasized that NEPRA’s core mandate is to safeguard the interests of both consumers and private-sector operators, adding that international best practices advocate for strong stakeholder representation to enhance transparency.
He also praised the commitment and patriotic spirit of industrialists, while acknowledging that systemic flaws in the power sector continue to hinder progress and require urgent reforms.
KATI President Ikram Rajput reiterated that Karachi’s industries are unfairly subsidising loss-making power distribution companies elsewhere in the country, a situation he termed unacceptable. He demanded the reversal of the recent fuel surcharge and called for immediate disbursement of the Rs33 billion Covid-era incentive package owed to industries.
