Narcotics ministry become a threat to industrial, commercial business activities: FPCCI

Govt functionaries pushing country towards another crisis: Zubair Ahmed Malik

ANF chocking growth, stoking inflation, pushing up unemployment

FPCCI asks Govt to take note of highhandedness of ministry, ANF officials

Dated: Sept 14

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Saturday said Ministry of Narcotics Control (MoNC) has been harassing business community, chocking growth, reducing government’s revenue, triggering uncertainty, stoking inflation and contributing to massive unemployment.

MoNC has placed a ban on manufacturing, sale, purchase and use of certain chemicals including hydrochloric acid (HCL) without obtaining NOC and without informing stakeholders while Anti Narcotics Force has started putting businessmen behind the bars which is unfortunate, said Zubair Ahmed Malik, President FPCCI.

He said that MoNC has suddenly asked the stakeholders to take NOC before dealing in the chemicals without giving time for preparations. Many have applied for the NOC but bureaucratic inertia has been making the situation worst, he said.

The FPCCI Chief said that the unilateral and sudden decision has put the future of industries at stake while hurting major industries of national importance like power generation, textiles, paper, soap, water treatment, atomic energy, fertilisers, oil and oil well drilling, steel, food, dyes, chemical and many more.

Many industrial units will face a shutdown in few days while the prices of some chemicals have escalated from Rs4500 per tonne to Rs 35000 seen ten per cent hike due to controversial decisions for which end-users would be charged, he informed.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that imposition of the condition has left industrial units unable to procure HCL from local manufacturers as they have been warned of strict action in case of sale or purchase of this chemical without the ministry's approval.

On the other hand, manufacturers of HCL says that little stock left which can cater for requirements of next few days and the production of major industries will come to a standstill if the ministry continued to insist on NOC before procurement of chemical.

Keeping manufacturers and users uninformed about the decision is the failure of the ministry concerned for which business community is being made to pay which is unacceptable, he said adding that many businessmen have been caught unaware which has sent very negative signals.

The affectees say that ministries of food, commerce, power, energy etc. were also not taken on board before the decision which is amazing, however Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control is aware of the situation and trying to settle the issue.

Malik said that all the requests for interim relief to help continue operations have fallen on deaf ears which will pave way for unrest, uncertainty, price hike and legal battles.

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CJP, PM asked to take note of well-orchestrated conspiracy against CNG sector

APCNGA says Ogra becomes part of conspiracy against CNG sector, illegal notices issued to 1000 operators

All CNG outlets established after NOC from twelve departments, why Ogra woke up after 23 years

Ogra, all concerned departments would be responsible for laying waste to Rs 400 billion investment

Dated July 04

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has become part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy against CNG sector and it has issued illegal show cause notices to over 1000 CNG operators to get their stance for business on current location before cancellation of their licences.

Orga has started dancing on the tune of influential lobbies to destroy world’s No 1 CNG industry by violating its own rules and regulations, it said.

All the petrol pumps and CNG operators had taken NOC from twelve different departments under the policy of ministry of petroleum before commencing commercial operations.

These departments include Ogra, Explosives Department, Traffic Police, TMA, Environmental Protection Agency, electricity and gas distribution companies, district administration, national and provincial highway authorities, and Civil Aviation Authority, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

Moreover all CNG operators have also ensured NOC from neighbours before establishing business, he said.

In a statement issued here today, he said that all the government agencies are responsible for it if supposedly any wrongdoing has taken place during the while process.

Similarly, Ghiyas Paracha said, all these departments would be responsible for harassing masses as well as investors who have invested around Rs 400 billion in the vibrant CNG sector.

He said that Ogra has allowed construction of all CNG outlets on their current locations but the regulator work up to the so called reality after 23 long years which is amazing. Why rest of the departments have not initiated any action so far if something is wrong about locations of CNG outlets, he questioned.

Paracha said that targeting CNG stations on the pretext of residential areas is a conspiracy as all the business in the residential areas are established on commercial patches after permission from authorities.

Shifting CNG outlets out of city is simply an unworkable idea which will add to the sufferings of masses, he said.

The leader of the CNG sector said that CNG sector lacks lobby in the corridors of power therefore it is held responsible for everything and harassed on one pretext or other.

He asked the Chief Justice Pakistan and the Prime Minister to take note of the situation as CNG operators have not violated any law.

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