LAHORE: Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) on Saturday opposed recent hike in petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) prices and demanded of the government to withdraw it to save industry and trade. PIAF Chairman Sohail Lashari said industrial production had already been reduced due to power loadshedding while the raise in POL prices would further worsen the situation. PIAF has long been calling for promotion of alternative energy resources as the trade deficit is fast widening due to heavy imports of petroleum products, he added. The business leader urged Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to withdraw the increase in POL prices immediately and also ensure representation of the business community in bodies like OGRA (Oil and Gas Regularity Authority) and NEPRA (National Electric Power Regularity Authority).
Pakistan Daily Times ----- OCT 02,2011