Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chairman Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) (S.Z) Hamid A. Zahur, in a press release appealed to the government to withdraw charging of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) in gas bills again. He said that the industry is unable to bear the brunt of any additional taxes or levies as it has been buried into the dump of government taxes already while cost of doing business has gone out of control. Humid warned that export-earning industries especially leather and its made ups units are facing stiff competition in global markets and its exports are already low as compared to past years.
PTA chief said that tanners have recently received SSGC bills with GIDC amounts added to it which is causing further increase in production cost, particularly for those units that have gas powered generation. In the current scenario where exports are down drastically, such measures by the government will further aggravate the situation and closure of units leading to increase in unemployment and reduction of exports. He urged the govt. to announce business friendly policies hopes that it will further review its decision to charge GIDC in future gas bills.
