Karachi: The President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, has called on the federal government to extend the recent electricity tariff reduction, currently granted to Punjab, to the Sindh province. Sheikh emphasized that both the public and business sectors in Sindh are enduring significant financial strain due to exceptionally high electricity costs.

According to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the appeal was directed towards President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Federal Minister for Energy Awais Laghari, urging immediate financial relief in the face of soaring energy prices. Sheikh highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by the business community due to the high costs of energy and additional expenditures on water, which is more affordable in other provinces.

The plea also underscored the dire social consequences of high energy costs, including families having to cut meals and withdraw their children from schools to afford utility bills. Sheikh warned of the long-term negative impacts on Pakistan’s future if immediate relief is not provided, stressing the need for urgent government action to mitigate these hardships.

The President of KCCI expressed hope that the government would recognize the vital economic contributions of Karachi and act swiftly to alleviate the financial burden on its residents and business owners by reducing electricity tariffs.