MARDAN: Former provincial assembly candidate and District President of PTI-P Mardan, Advocate Zulfiqar Khan Ahmad Khel, has expressed concern over the country’s economic conditions, saying prolonged gas and electricity outages, inflation, unemployment and declining business activity are creating serious difficulties for citizens and traders.
Speaking to the media, Zulfiqar Khan Ahmad Khel said repeated power and gas outages were affecting industries, markets and business centres, while rising production costs were slowing economic activity. He said inflation had reduced the purchasing power of ordinary people and that limited employment opportunities were creating additional difficulties for young people.
Call for Relief for Business Community
The PTI-P leader said traders were struggling to sustain their businesses amid rising taxes and other financial pressures. He urged the government to consult the business community and introduce a simpler, transparent and practical taxation system.
He called for immediate steps to end prolonged gas and electricity load-shedding, reduce utility tariffs, control inflation, create employment opportunities and provide tax relief to businesses.
Rising Fuel Prices Add to Public Pressure
Zulfiqar Khan Ahmad Khel also pointed to shortages of clean drinking water and continued electricity and gas outages among the problems facing residents.
He said recent increases in petrol and CNG prices had added to financial pressure on households and contributed to higher transport fares.
Appeal to Elected Representatives
The PTI-P leader said elected representatives should raise public concerns on relevant forums and remain accessible to citizens during difficult economic conditions.
He criticised representatives who, he alleged, became less visible after elections despite making commitments to voters during campaigns.
He said the government, industrialists, traders and other stakeholders needed to work together to support economic recovery and stability. Without providing relief and better facilities to businesses, he added, it would be difficult to expand economic activity and create employment opportunities.
Zulfiqar Khan Ahmad Khel also urged voters to carefully consider their choices in upcoming local government and general elections and elect representatives who could effectively raise public issues and work toward addressing them.
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