LAHORE, Feb 23: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to facilitate and encourage local producers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) instead of evolving plans to support import of LPG through tax concessions or levy of more taxes on local producers.

LCCI President Mian Muzaffar Ali in a statement on Monday expressed grave concern over the government’s intentions to facilitate import of LPG while ignoring the local LPG producers.

“Pakistan has huge potential to increase local LPG production,” said LCCI president, adding that it was regrettable that the local resources were not being properly utilised due to lack of planning, interest and will.

“Realising great potential of local production will create jobs, make affordable product available to consumers, and save foreign exchange,” he said.

Mian Muzaffar said that proper arrangements must be made by the government to secure 800 tons of gas being wasted daily by burning it into the air.He said acute energy shortage being witnessed by the country could be bridged through effective utilisation of local resources.

“The government must not artificially increase local LPG producer prices by imposing special levies and taxes on them or by artificially reducing the price of imported product by waiving GST,” he stressed.—APP