Muhammad Saleem

Uraan Pakistan, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will not succeed if the government fails to provide affordable energy to the industry. In an interview with WealthPK, Waheed Ramay, Chairman of the Council of Loom Owners Association, stated that the powerloom sector is struggling due to high energy costs. “We are trying to convince those in power that affordable energy is essential for every industry.

How can we make progress without cheap energy?” he said. Regarding the Uraan Pakistan programme, he expressed regret that the government did not consult the real stakeholders before launching the initiative. “We are also trying to strengthen the national economy and create jobs, but this can’t happen without government support,” he added.

Ramay emphasized that those in charge must develop effective strategies and create a level playing field for businesses by providing affordable energy and raw materials. Hazar Khan, Vice-Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), told WealthPK that foreign customers are ready to place orders with Pakistani exporters. “Our quality and production capacity are on par with our competitors.

However, high energy costs are limiting our competitiveness in the international market,” he lamented. He noted that while the Uraan Pakistan initiative was launched to bring prosperity to the country, the question remains: who will ensure its success? “Only the business community can turn this vision into reality,” he said.

“However, it’s ironic that manufacturers are unable to access essential facilities like electricity, gas, and cheap raw materials at affordable rates.” The PHMA Vice-Chairman pointed out that internal inefficiencies are causing them to lose international buyers. He acknowledged the Prime Minister’s efforts in launching the programme, but stressed that without affordable energy, the initiative will be ineffective.

Khan also mentioned that the government had recently formed a committee to review the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), but criticized the fact that the knitwear sector—a major export-driven industry—has been excluded from the body. “This raises questions about how policymakers intend to revive the economy,” he said.

He concluded that initiatives like Uraan Pakistan, or any other scheme, will never succeed without involving real stakeholders. “The government must first consult stakeholders, reduce energy costs, and create a level playing field for the business community to ensure progress and prosperity. Without addressing these issues, we cannot turn any vision into reality,” he asserted.

Credit: INP-WealthPk