The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday lauded the efforts of Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen to reduce the cement prices which have increased to historic highs hitting developmental projects.
FM Shaukat Tareen has advised the cement manufacturers to sell the commodity at affordable prices as cement is one of the main component of construction, it said.
Tareen should also direct manufacturers of steel bars to reduce their prices which has crossed all the limits, said Chairman PEW Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Aslam Khan.
He said that the prices of all the construction material are rising despite protests by builders which are hitting public sector and private sector projects.
The government has increased allocation for developmental projects by 40 percent in the current budget which include transformation of Karachi, construction of small and large dams, and other initiatives that need to be shielded from the price hikes, he said.
Similarly, he said, the government has allocated Rs30 billion for Naya Pakistan Housing Plan which should be completed within projected costs otherwise, it may not remain affordable for many aspirants.
