Report: ANI
ISLAMABAD: President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Ajmal Baloch and Secretary Traders Action Committee Islamabad and Chairman Traders and Market Committee ICCI Khalid Chaudhry have said that government tax policies, high petroleum prices and regional uncertainty have triggered a new wave of inflation in the country.
They said high petrol and electricity prices had significantly increased transportation, industrial and business costs, resulting in higher prices of daily-use commodities and adding to the difficulties faced by consumers and traders.
Ajmal Baloch and Khalid Chaudhry called on the government to immediately and substantially reduce petroleum levy and other taxes, lower electricity tariffs and provide genuine relief to the public and business community.
The traders’ leaders also urged the government to explore viable options for obtaining relatively cheaper energy from Iran and other regional countries, while ensuring compliance with national interests and international laws.
They said obstacles to border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan were also affecting the supply and prices of essential commodities and stressed the need to address the root causes of inflation instead of relying solely on administrative action and fines.
They warned that failure to address inflation and supply-chain issues in time could further worsen the prices and availability of flour, sugar and other essential commodities.
