All Pakistan Contractors Association (APCA) Chairman, Engineer Sikandar Hayat Khattak, has expressed concern and anxiety on the increase of price of cement to Rs 335 per bag. In a statement issued here, on Tuesday, Sikandar said that cement price had registered a jump of Rs 90 per bag in one go, which was unprecedented and highest ever increase at a time when the government had not increased taxes, duties or cess in the budget 2005-06.
He alleged that the increase in cement price was the result of cartel of cement manufacturers and collusion of cement dealers, who were pitched against the people of Pakistan to sell cement at the highest price without any fear from any quarter.
He was of the view that increase in cement price would seriously hamper the completion of public projects of national importance. He said that cement price in Pakistan was much higher as compared to neighbouring countries, including India, Iran, China and most the countries of world.
In February 1998, cement price was Rs 180 per bag but in March 1998 the cement manufacturers formed a cartel and increased the price as Rs 240 per bag and above.
He maintained that various infrastructure projects had been started in the country and there was a boom in the construction and housing sectors, which is contributing to country's economy.
The APCA chairman appealed to the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take immediate notice of unjustified increase in the cement price and allow import of cement from all countries, including India on zero percent custom duty, zero percent sales tax and zero percent income tax, because this is the only way to bring the price of cement down to an affordable level.
"This will also put an end to the cartel of cement manufacturers in the public interest," he added.
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