LAHORE: The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has appealed the trade and industrial associations to observe a complete strike today against discrimination in gas supply to Punjab industry and the reformed General Sales Tax (GST). In a statement issued on Saturday, PIAF Chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, Vice Chairmen Iqbal Baig Chughtai, Shahzeb Akram and LCCI former President Mian Anjum Nisar condemned gas outages and the reformed GST.
They lamented that both had not only pushed the industry to the wall but had also put millions of jobs at stake.
They stated that it had become difficult for the industry to continue the production process and their goods are fast becoming uncompetitive even in Pakistan.
They expressed concern over unequal treatment and grieved that other provinces were receiving continuous supply of gas, while the industry in Punjab was faced with an acute shortage.
They said that the trade leaders and workers never wanted to protest in streets, but some forces had compelled them to opt for extreme steps. They hoped that all industrial areas will remain closed today.
