February 07, 2007	Wednesday	Muharram 18, 1428

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RAWALPINDI, Feb 6: The Government Contractors Welfare Associations has announced to launch protest against the increase in the prices of cement and steel.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, president of the association Abdul Hafiz Chaudhry blamed the government for the increases in the prices of both items and demanded of the government to take immediate steps to force factory owners to withdraw the increase.

He also demanded of the government to take action against those cement factory owners who were involved in the price hike. Mr Chaudhry said that 15 days ago the price of a cement bag was Rs190 that has been increased to Rs270; he feared that the price could be Rs320 per bag next week.

Mr Chaudhry said that the government was helpless at the hands of powerful cement factory owners who had allegedly turned to profiteering at the expense of the common people. He said that the owners had created artificial shortage of cement on the pretext of export demand which was a big hurdle in the way of construction activity.

He said that the common people were already hit-hard by the skyrocketing prices of daily use items and new move on the part of cement factory owners would increase their problems.

He also said that the contractors of Rawalpindi would not participate in the tenders issues by the government if the increase in the prices is not withdrawn.

President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr Hassan Sirosh Akram has also expressed concern over the increase in cement prices.

Dr Akram said that cement was a basic ingredient in the construction activity and increase in its prices would directly hurt the common people. He urged the government and cement association to come up with a solution of the problem that does not increase the burden of common people.