The ban on export of cement to Afghanistan helped downward trend in the price of cement bag, market sources said here on Friday. "The price of all brands of cement has registered a decline by Rs 25 per bag since last two weeks," informed Mohammad Iqbal - local cement dealer here in Hashtnagri area.
He said the price of the cement had been increased by Rs 75 per bag during last eight months of the current financial year.
Terming export and monopoly of the cement manufacturers as key factors behind the current spiralling prices of cement, he welcomed ban on the cross border trade of the commodity.
He attributed the increase in the cement prices to the highhandedness of the manufacturers, saying before raise they usually created artificial shortage in the local market. He said he was running the business since last 35 years, but had never witnessed the current pace of the increase in the price of the commodity.
The cement dealers say the high price of the cement was preventing people from the construction of buildings and even houses to shelter their families. He demanded of the government to intervene into the matter and help cut down in the price of cement bag.