Retail cement prices declined modestly across Pakistan over the past week, reflecting easing pressure in parts of the construction materials market.
According to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the average retail price per bag of cement in northern cities stood at Rs 1,387 for the week ending January 1. This represents a weekly decline of 0.27 percent, compared with Rs 1,391 recorded a week earlier.
In contrast, cement prices in southern cities remained unchanged during the same period. The average retail price per bag in the south was recorded at Rs 1,446, matching the level seen in the previous week.
Prices in Northern Cities
The PBS data shows the following average retail prices per cement bag in major northern cities:
In Islamabad, cement sold at an average of Rs 1,367, while in Rawalpindi it was Rs 1,361. Prices in Gujranwala were Rs 1,420, and in Sialkot, Rs 1,400.
In Lahore, the average price was Rs 1,457, while in Faisalabad it was Rs 1,380. Prices in Sargodha were Rs 1,400, Multan Rs 1,411, and Bahawalpur Rs 1,413.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cement prices averaged Rs 1,353 in Peshawar, while Bannu recorded the lowest northern rate at Rs 1,300.
Prices in Southern Cities
For the week ending January 1, average retail cement prices in southern cities were as follows:
In Karachi, cement was priced at Rs 1,379 per bag, while in Hyderabad it was priced at Rs 1,428. Prices in Sukkur were the highest in the region at Rs 1,530, followed by Larkana at Rs 1,407.
In Balochistan, the average price per bag was Rs 1,490 in Quetta, while in Khuzdar it was around Rs 1,440.
Market analysts say the slight decline in northern markets may reflect softer demand and stable supply conditions. However, they note that overall cement prices remain elevated compared with previous years, and future trends will depend on construction activity, energy costs, and broader economic conditions.
