Lots of students across the nation could be compelled to study without textbooks in the coming academic year because of the disgraceful inability of the government to manage the cost of locally constructed paper.
The chairman of the Pakistan Association of Printing & Graphic Arts Industry, the Publishers, and Booksellers Association of Pakistan, Aziz Khalid, warned that the producers would not be capable of providing textbooks if the government does not manage the price of paper.
It was also criticised by Aziz that the costs for domestically made paper have been continuously increasing because of the constructors of the local paper. Local newspaper prices have risen by 200 percent in just a few months. In addition to this, he also claimed that the imported paper is better than the locally constructed paper.
Moreover, the cost of locally constructed paper has been boosted by up to Rs. per kilogramme since the month of January of this year.
Each week, the cost per kilogramme rises by up to 5-8 rupees.
Aziz stressed the fact that the producers are not able to use imported paper in textbooks due to high customs. Â
As a result, many students may be required to study without textbooks, and the country’s textbook publishing industry may suffer greatly.
To encourage and motivate the printing of textbooks of a high grade on a national level, Aziz strongly pledged to the government to lower the tariffs and levies on imported paper.
The fiscal year 2021-22 budget included a 10% administrative fine on uncovered woodfree paper.
