BY: ANI Correspondent:
ABBOTTABAD: Founder of the Industrialists Association District Abbottabad and Abbottabad Chamber of Commerce, Haji Iftikhar Ahmed, has strongly opposed a committee formed by the Deputy Commissioner Haripur, warning that it could create unnecessary pressure on industrialists.
In a statement, Ahmed said the committee includes industrialists from Abbottabad and Hattar Industrial Zone, while expressing concern over possible interference in legitimate business affairs and political influence.
He said industrialists were already being monitored by more than 32 federal and provincial institutions and questioned the need for another special committee. He warned that excessive administrative intervention could lead to harassment and further difficulties for businesses.
Ahmed said rising electricity and fuel costs, heavy taxation and prolonged load-shedding had already severely affected industrial production. Many factories, he added, were operating only a single shift instead of full capacity.
He warned that declining production was putting exports and employment under pressure and could force some factories to close, worsening unemployment and poverty.
Ahmed said industrialists contribute billions of rupees in taxes and also make substantial contributions to workers’ social security and welfare funds.
He urged the Haripur district administration to immediately dissolve the committee and create a stable environment for industry and trade, saying stronger industrial activity was essential for employment, exports and economic growth.
