Cement has been included in the third schedule of the Sales Tax Act, which is affecting the already over-¡burdened cement sector in Pakistan. The industry is in talks with authorities to resolve the issue. The cost of production of is rapidly rising, due to increase in transportation and electricity costs. Additional taxes imposed by the government of Pakistan on the cement industry has now worsened the situation. The industry saw the lowest figure for exports to Afghanistan in the start of 2014, compared to the previous six months of the current fiscal year.