Govt shuts down illegal cement unit in Sargodha

APCMA hails joint action against M/s Red Bull Cement for tax evasion

ISLAMABAD:

The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has welcomed a joint operation by multiple government agencies against an illegal cement manufacturing unit operating under the name M/s Red Bull Cement on the Sargodha–Faisalabad Road.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and district industries department issued written orders and carried out effective enforcement against the unauthorised unit. During inspection, authorities found the unit operating without mandatory legal approvals, registration, environmental clearances and other required permits. The unit was subsequently sealed and its operations suspended.

APCMA said such actions discourage illegal business practices while encouraging compliant operators, reducing the size of the black economy and promoting a documented and lawful economic framework.

The association emphasised that illegal cement manufacturing causes significant losses to the national exchequer through tax evasion and undermines fair competition by bypassing environmental, quality, safety and regulatory requirements that compliant manufacturers are obligated to meet.