KARACHI — Cement rates across Pakistan for a standard 50kg bag of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) are currently hovering between Rs. 1,350 and Rs. 1,610, exhibiting retail stability despite recent consecutive hikes in domestic petroleum prices. According to market trackers and dealer updates, the national average for a bag sits between Rs. 1,420 and Rs. 1,550. This retail resilience is primarily cushioned by robust domestic production, a significant surge in factory dispatches over the past two months, and a well-balanced regional supply chain that has temporarily absorbed external economic shocks.
However, localized pricing continues to face upward pressure due to escalating logistics expenses following the government’s transition to daily fuel pricing. With petrol climbing to Rs. 335.18 per liter and high-speed diesel increasing to Rs. 383.46 per liter, freight and long-haul transportation costs for heavy trucks have expanded significantly. Consequently, stark regional price variations have emerged based on proximity to production clusters; southern urban centers like Karachi enjoy lower ready rates between Rs. 1,350 and Rs. 1,500 per bag, whereas northern consumer markets such as Lahore and Islamabad are seeing elevated retail prices ranging from Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 1,610 per bag.
