ISLAMABAD: The sale of cement in south region of the country has increased by 21 percent from 3.38 million tons in first six months of fiscal year 2017-18 (Jul-Dec) to 4.08 million tons this fiscal.

However, the local sales in the north have declined by 5.95 percent in the first six months of this fiscal from 16.45 million tons in July-Dec 2017 to 15.47 million tons in July-Dec 2018.

According to a report quoting All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, the overall domestic cement dispatches have decreased in first six months of fiscal year 18-19 by 1.41 percent as compared to same period last year which is the first ever such instance in last nine years.