Rawalpindi: President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Usman Shaukat, has expressed serious concern over prolonged load shedding, warning that it is severely impacting industrial productivity and jeopardizing Pakistan’s export targets.In a statement issued here, he said that unscheduled and extended power outages during peak business hours are disrupting industrial operations, increasing production costs, and causing delays in export orders.
He noted that similar concerns have also been raised by business leaders from other chamber of commerce and trade associations, where load shedding and restrictive policies have brought commercial activities close to a halt and reduced productivity .Usman Shaukat emphasized that the continuation of such challenges will weaken Pakistan’s already fragile export sector, making it difficult to compete in international markets. He added that industries require uninterrupted energy supply to maintain efficiency, ensure timely deliveries, and sustain global buyer confidence.
Highlighting regional developments, the RCCI President warned that ongoing tensions and war-like situations in the Gulf region could lead to a decline in remittances, which are a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy. He stressed that increased freight costs, disrupted supply chains, and economic uncertainty linked to Middle East instability are already posing risks to exports and external inflows .He further pointed out that inconsistent and restrictive business hours across provinces are creating uncertainty and negatively affecting business confidence. Citing examples, he said that varying market closing times across cities lead to confusion, inefficiency, and loss of economic activity. Business leaders have already called for rational and uniform policies, including extended business hours and uninterrupted electricity during peak times .
Usman Shaukat urged the government to take immediate corrective measures, including ensuring uninterrupted power supply to industry, revisiting energy management policies, and introducing uniform business hours across Pakistan to facilitate trade and economic activity.He reiterated that the business community is the backbone of the national economy and must be supported through consistent, business-friendly policies. “Without urgent intervention, these challenges could slow down economic recovery, reduce exports, and further strain the country’s external account,” he concluded.
