LAHORE: The All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has shown serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation, which is threatening their heavy investments.

“The law and order situation in Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kohat, Mianwali and adjacent areas has seriously jeopardised the daily operations of the areas’ cement units,” said a spokesman for the APCMA.

He added that recently some workers of a cement unit in one of the above-mentioned areas were kidnapped by terrorists and one of them was killed.

“Terrorists generally demand a huge amount of money as extortion and give warnings of serious consequences in case their demands are not met.”

He termed it a serious situation urging the government to take strict measures to control and manage the law and order situation.

He said that the cement industry is in expansion phase and heavy investments have been planned which could be jeopardised due to this situation, creating long-term issues for the industry.

“Besides, the industry’s investment of billions of rupees in the said areas has also been endangered by these terrorist activities,” said the spokesman.

He added that this deteriorating law and order situation could also pose threats to local employment and create unrest in the locality.

The cement industry is amongst the highest contributors to the national exchequer and has contributed approximately Rs240 billion in taxes in the financial year 2022-23. It has earned around $210 million foreign exchange by exporting cement during the year.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2024