FPCCI urges completion of Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industrial (FPCCI) has expressed concern over the ongoing energy crisis in the country and urged the Ministry of Energy to complete the Matiari–Lahore Transmission Line as soon as possible so that cheaper electricity generated in the southern regions can be supplied to industries in the northern parts of the country. Addressing a press conference at Federation House Karachi along with FPCCI office-bearers, business community leader S M Tanveer said that industries are shutting down due to the energy crisis, and the export growth target is also being affected. Representatives of the business community also termed the early closure of markets in Karachi as a cause of reduced economic activity and demanded that businesses be allowed to operate until 10: 00 PM. Representing the business community, S M Tanveer proposed the Nobel Peace Prize for Field Marshal Asim Munir and paid tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their important role in preventing a third world war. S M Tanveer said that Field Marshal Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Mohsin Naqvi deserve congratulations for the way they have brought recognition to Pakistan, and prayed that this unity continues. He said FPCCI, representing the people of Pakistan and the business community, proposes awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to the Field Marshal. He added that due to the efforts of Field Marshal General Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s improved global reputation will lead to economic benefits and mark the beginning of a new era of economic growth. In this context, FPCCI will present a shadow budget and a five-year economic plan on April 30. He further said that good news is that bonds worth USD500 million have been sold, and given the strengthening of the country’s global standing, Eurobonds worth USD10 to USD15 billion could be issued. He said that exports stood at USD33 billion last year and although the government had set a target of a 10 percent annual increase, exports this year are expected to remain at USD30 billion instead of USD37 billion, resulting in a loss of USD7 billion. The main reason for this is the energy crisis. He added that the country has a power generation capacity of 41, 000 megawatts, while the industry is using only 3, 200 megawatts, which is 13 percents of the industrial load. Due to industrial shutdowns, electricity consumption is decreasing. There is a capacity of 12, 000 megawatts of alternative cheap electricity, but only about 3, 000 megawatts is being utilized. He said that in the south, cheap alternative electricity generation capacity is being wasted, and due to the non completion of the Matiari–Lahore link, about 9, 000 megawatts of cheap electricity is not being utilized. He also said that retail has an 18 percent share in GDP, and even after closing shops at 10: 00 PM, electricity is not being saved. Referring to a recent visit, he said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi remarked that if two money changers are caught, it would reveal how money was sent abroad, and advised conducting transactions through banks instead of money changers. In response to a question, he said that Pakistan cannot offer an amnesty due to IMF conditions; however, FPCCI has discussed providing relief to the industry with the government, and work is ongoing in this regard. He concluded by saying that no transmission line has been built to transfer cheap electricity generated in the southern regions to the northern areas, and the Ministry of Energy is responsible for this delay, as no progress has been made on the Matiari transmission line project for the past three years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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