LPG dealers take to the street against levy of taxes

Threaten to go on shutter-down strike if taxes are not withdrawn within 30 days

LAHORE: Members of the LPG Distributors Association of Pakistan (LDAP) staged a sit-in against the imposition of taxes on local and imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in front of Lahore Press Club on Sunday

They were holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands. They also chanted slogans against the government and blocked the road for traffic.

LDAP Secretary Arsalan Khokhar told The Express Tribune that the government has levied the tax on domestically produced LPG and regulatory duty on imported LPG. The action has increased the price of LPG by Rs25 per kg. Similarly, after the imposition of the tax, the price of the domestic cylinder has gone up by Rs250 and Rs1,000 of the commercial cylinder.

Khokhar said that the supply of natural gas to domestic consumers during winter was affected due to the shortage of gas. People had no option but to use LPG cylinders to cook food at homes, he said, adding that the government’s decision would affect public at large. “The action will also have an impact on rickshaw drivers, LPG distributors, and dealers. It will also create unemployment,”

Khokhar demanded that the government withdraw these taxes within 30 days. “If our demands were not fulfilled by January 10, 2018, we will go on a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike throughout the country.”

He said that some corrupt elements were responsible for these taxes. Prime Minister Khaqan Abbassi while serving as petroleum minister had provided LPG at a cheap price for four years. “There is a lobby that has increased these prices to defame the government.”

He appealed to the prime minister to withdraw these taxes to save the LPG industry and people from becoming unemployed.

Meanwhile, differences have also emerged between LPG Distributors Association and Awami Rickshaw Union on the issue. The Rickshaw Union is one of the stakeholders as they were consumers of gas.

Awami Rickshaw Union Leader Majeed Ghauri told The Express Tribune that LPG Distribution Association President Arfan Khokhar was responsible for the rise in prices of LPG. “He was the front man of importers of LPG.”

Ghauri added that domestic LPG was low in price while imported LPG was expensive. “Khokhar had personal connections with the prime minister.”

Protecting the interests of the importers, he requested the prime minister to levy taxes on domestic LPG so that prices of both commodities become equal.” Khokhar and his affiliates came on roads when the interest of importers was hurt,” he said. He lamented the rise in prices of LPG and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the taxes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2017.