Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Set to Increase Royalty on Cement

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur Thursday held an important meeting today with a delegation comprising senior officials from various cement manufacturing companies. The meeting focused on challenges faced by the cement industry, potential solutions, and strategies for promoting industrial growth in the province. During the discussions, both sides agreed to increase the royalty on cement from Rs. 250 per ton to Rs. 350 per ton. Additionally, a phased increase in royalty rates was decided, with a 10 percent annual rise for the first two years, followed by a 7.5 percent annual increase for the subsequent three years. The chief minister assured the delegation of full support from the provincial government to promote the cement industry. He also invited the delegation to invest in the value addition of minerals such as gypsum, placer gold, and other mineral products, highlighting the significant untapped potential of these resources in the province. The provincial government has established its own mining company to ensure effective management and exploration of mineral resources, said the chief minister. He further emphasized ongoing efforts to introduce modern machinery and techniques in the mining sector. Gandapur stated that the government is taking concrete steps to promote in-province value addition of mineral products and will extend every possible support to investors in this regard. He underscored that improved management of mineral resources is a key driver of provincial revenue growth. Moreover, he extended an invitation to the delegation to invest in the development of a provincial transmission line. He noted that electricity generated from local power plants would be delivered to industries at subsidized rates through this infrastructure, thus promoting industrial growth. He added that the development of the industrial sector is essential to eliminate unemployment in the province. The provincial government, he said, is fully committed to facilitating investors through comprehensive support and favorable policies. The delegation welcomed the chief minister’s invitation to invest in mining and transmission infrastructure and expressed keen interest in expanding their investments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.