Cement exports to Afghanistan have reachedthe 190,000t mark in July, despite the withdrawal of an export rebate as a means of stabilising prices in the local market, official sources said. 
 
The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) had raised serious concerns over the withdrawal of the rebate a few months ago, arguing that Pakistan would lose its hard-won export market in Afghanistan to India or Central Asian republics, but sources say the current export trend negates their apprehensions. 
 
They said the Industries and Production Ministry briefed the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday that the cement manufacturers once again had started capacity under-utilisation from July to stop further declines in prices.