ISLAMABAD, Sept 8: Pakistan imported 38,100 tons of duty-free cement during the first two months (July-Aug) of current fiscal year to stabilise domestic prices of the commodity.

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan informed the National Assembly here on Friday while responding to a written question by MNA Muhammad Hussain Mehanti who sought details from the commerce ministry about the duty-free import of cement during the last three years and the names of importers.

The minister said that United Resources Corporation imported 21,500 tons, Bilal Industries Ltd 50 tons, T & N Fibres (Vision) Pvt Ltd 1,250 tons, Khalid Javed and Brothers 7,300 tons and Simba Corporation (Pvt) Ltd 8,000 tons duty-free cement respectively during the two months.

The minister said that M/s Khalid had imported 15,300 tons cement and filed six sets of GDs, which were completed/out of charged by the group, but importer cleared 7,300 tons on payment of sales tax and income tax covering three GDs. The 8,000 tons valuing Rs35.15 million was still lying unlearned as the importer had not paid sales tax and withholding tax, he added.

The minister further said that Oil and Gas Development Company imported 819 tons of duty-free cement during 2004-05.

He said that during 2005-06, 26,620 tons cement was imported by Mehmood Mehboob Brothers and 750 tons by Muhammad Idrees as duty-free.