By Recorder Report
PESHAWAR: Members of the business community welcomed the government鈥檚 announcement of a new industrial policy for revival of the country鈥檚 declining manufacturing sector.
However, they cautioned that without immediate, inclusive, and practical measures, the manufacturing sector鈥 already gasping for survival鈥 may face irreversible collapse.
Traders took a stance that the announcement signals recognition of the crisis, the business community, particularly industrialists, are standing at the edge of despair.
Skyrocketing energy costs, an unpredictable policy environment, insecurity, and a crippling taxation regime have rendered operations unsustainable for many manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises, the traders said. 鈥淥ur factories are shutting down, our machines are falling silent, and our workers are being laid off. If this continues, we won鈥檛 just lose industrial output鈥攚e鈥檒l lose hope,鈥 Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Fazal Moqeem Khan said while talking to