ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly was told that the price of Cement has been increased by 19.62% during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led incumbent government.
To a question asked by Ms. Shamim Ara Panhwar, the Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar told the House in writing on Friday that the price of Cement has been increased from Rs 586/50kg in August 2018 to Rs 701/50kg in October 2021.
The minister told that the reasons of the increase in Cement prices as conveyed by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) are as under:-
- Significant increase in prices of coal.
- Exchange rate impact of the imported inputs.
- Increase in transportation cost due to increase in prices of petroleum products/diesel.
- Significant Increase in ocean freight from South Africa/Indonesia etc.
- Increase in cost of electricity in terms of fuel price adjustments and increase in tax rates.
- CCP is already looking into the price of Cement and it will be appropriate to listen to their point of view also.
Citing the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) as the source, the House was told that the price of Cement in the Country at present is Rs 701/50kg in October 2021.
To another question, Khusro Bakhtiar told the House that the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has been provided subsidy since January 8, 2020 for protecting the vulnerable families from rise in sugar prices.
The minister told that the subsidy was given to the USC for general consumers and the poor.
Khusro Bakhtiar told that the USC, on the direction of the Federal Cabinet, maintained the price of sugar at Rs 68 per kg from January 8, 2020 to July 27, 2021 when the Cabinet in its meeting revised the price of sugar from Rs 68 per kg to 85 per kg.
The minister further told that prices have increased due to the increase in the prices of sugarcane and the major chunk of value has gone to the growers.
