Action is being taken against fertiliser manufacturing companies for unilateral increase in urea prices. The case is being sent to the Competition commission of Pakistan and other concerned government institutions. This was decided at a high level meeting held in Lahore with senior central leader Pakistan Muslim League and senior Federal minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in the chair.
Also present in the meeting were advisor to Prime Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja and the chairman, managing director and general manager of the National Fertiliser Corporation. The impact of urea price escalation was evaluated in detail and it was concluded that the unilateral price increase by fertiliser manufacturers did not tally with ground realities and that it was a well planned move to unduly profit from the situation.
The meeting also concluded that fertiliser manufacturers were acting like a cartel which was detrimental to the interests of the country’s farmers. The meeting also showed displeasure at the conflicting prices of similar products being produced by the fertiliser companies. The excuses being made by the manufacturers were rejected in the meeting and it was resolved that the government would protect the farmers’ interests at all costs.
The above mentioned findings of unilateral price increase of urea by fertilizer companies is right at its place but voes of these companies should also be heard patiently. Abrupt cutting of supply of gas to these units by say 50% is suicidal for the survival of these companies who have invested billions of dollars to set up such chemical complexes. These companies cannot afford financially as well as technically to shut down and then restart frequently. These companies try to achieve 110% or more of their installed capacity as per international practice, not to speak of running 15 days of every month. As has been revealed that there is no electricity shortage in the country but only mismanagement / corruption. Similar is the case with gas. Govt agencies have lethargic and indifferent attitude to wards national emergent matters damaging the national interest.
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