Karachi: Cement prices have been going up over the past three or four weeks, due to an increase in development schemes launched before the upcoming elections, according to a news source. Prices have inched by up to PKR 60 per bag, with a PKR 10 hike recorded in just the past couple of days.
The largest hike was recorded in Lahore, where the price per bag rose by PKR 50 to PKR 60, with the new rate resting at PKR 590 per bag. Despite cement prices in the north being usually significantly cheaper than those in Karachi, the gap has shrunk. Analysts stated that these hikes were due to the high demand caused by development activity ahead of the general elections and would go back to normal within two or three months.
