FAISALABAD: Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Khurram Mukhtar, has urged the government to introduce urgent and comprehensive reforms in the power sector, stating that industries should be allowed to focus on production instead of managing energy challenges.
He said that despite surplus power generation capacity in the country, underutilisation of resources is leading to increased per-unit electricity costs for consumers.
Mukhtar criticised distribution companies (DISCOs), including PESCO, SEPCO, HESCO, and QESCO, alleging that inefficiencies, cross-subsidies, and power theft losses are being passed on to paying consumers.
He stressed the need for consistent and long-term energy policies, warning that frequent changes and ineffective industrial support packages are creating uncertainty for the business community.
He also called for strict accountability of DISCOs and improved governance in the power sector.
Mukhtar highlighted the importance of utilising local energy sources, particularly Thar coal, to reduce dependence on expensive imports and stabilize energy costs.
He noted that unreliable electricity supply is forcing industries to invest heavily in alternative energy systems, effectively turning manufacturers into independent power producers instead of focusing solely on production activities.
