The Chamber of Commerce and Industry decided on Saturday to stage a protest demonstration on April 27 against unannounced power and gas outages.
The decision was taken by the LCCI Executive Committee during its meeting held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday.
The LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar presided over the meeting while LCCI Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad was also present in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was convening a meeting of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Punjab and all trade and industry associations on April 23 to take them on board for the protest demonstration.
The LCCI President said that there were chances of province wide protests and demonstrations if the government failed to ensure continuous supply of electricity to the industry which is providing livelihood to hundreds of millions of people.
The LCCI president said that the business community does not believe in strikes and protests but it is being compelled to take such extreme steps as they are left with no other option.
The LCCI President said that businessmen were suffering on many accounts only because of the unavailability of electricity and gas.
“On one hand their industrial units are not running up to their capacity whereas on the other hand they are paying markup and other dues for all 365 days of the year,” he said.
Farooq Iftikhar further said that unscheduled and repeated power outages have put their existence at stake.
He feared massive lay offs in the wake of new wave of gas and electricity outages.
The LCCI President said that the distribution company staff was approaching industrialists and seeking illegal gratification against continuous supply of electricity whereas the government claims that there is an acute shortage of power.
The government should take strict action against officials who are trying to promote bhatha culture in the province.
