ISLAMABAD The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) was bearing a loss of billions of rupees due to hike in the prices of raw material at the international level. The factor behind this loss is increase in prices of iron ore, oil and other raw material, Minister of State for Industries and Production Ayatullah Durrani said during the question hour session. The Minister said that PSM was earning profit in 2008 that showed its good performance, however situation at the international level badly affected this sector. He did not spoke over huge embezzlement in the PSM, saying the issue was sub judice. To another question, Minister for Housing Rehmatullah Kakar said that Government was working on a project under the Prime Ministers Visionary Programme for constructing housing units in the country. He said that pilot projects to construct 2,095 housing units had been launched in Islamabad, Lahore and Quetta under this programme. He added that private sector was also involved in this programme and a company had been awarded a contract of constructing 8,000 flats in Karachi and 750 in Turbat. In a written reply, Minister for Industries Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani stated that incentives and facilities were available in Export Processing Zones without gender discrimination. He added that women entrepreneurs could also establish their business in these zones. Ayatullah Durrani in a written reply informed the House that at present there was no shortage of sugar in the country and its sufficient stock was available with the Government.