FPCCI President Urges Safety Net for Export Sectors Amid High Diesel Prices
Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has called for the urgent implementation of a safety net for Pakistan's export sectors. The call comes in response to the ongoing threat posed by high High-Speed Diesel (HSD) prices and compounded operational costs, which are undermining the country's global competitiveness. Despite a recent decision by the Prime Minister to halve the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), Sheikh argues that this measure is insufficient to ensure macroeconomic stability. The FPCCI emphasizes the need for a strategic safety net, including the suspension of the PDL for export-oriented manufacturing and a transition to alternative energy sources. The organization warns of potential widespread de-industrialization and catastrophic ripple effects on export targets due to prolonged high freight and logistics costs. 
