Any increase in the retail tariffs of electricity will drive up the production cost and lead to a further spiral in inflation, worsening the condition of lower-income groups, said presidents of two chambers today.
Imports of essentials and raw materials for industries must not be hampered while the country is tackling the current economic downturns including inflation, energy crisis and the shocks dealt by the Russia-Ukraine war, said stakeholders. "Businesses are not being able to open LCs to import industry materials and capital machinery. As a result, their production is hampered.