Retail cement prices recorded an upward trend across Pakistan during the week ending December 18, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In northern cities, the average retail price of cement rose by 0.9% to Rs1,402 per bag, compared to Rs1,389 in the previous week. In southern cities, prices edged up by 0.06% to Rs1,446 per bag. City-wise data showed higher prices in Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur, while comparatively lower rates were recorded in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. In southern markets, Sukkur, Quetta, and Hyderabad reported elevated prices. Analysts note that rising construction input costs continue to put pressure on development budgets, housing affordability, and ongoing infrastructure projects across the country.
