Stress laid on LPG imports

Industry player urges govt to help make swift payments for imports

The LPG Distributors Association has warned of a gas crisis and demanded that banking channels should be managed to quicken payments for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports.

Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar said in a statement that a conspiracy was being hatched to malign the LPG business. He denounced the campaign against legal LPG imports by terming it smuggling through the Taftan border.

Khokhar said the country required 100,000 tons of LPG imports in the coming months to meet demand. “If this import is not managed, there will be an LPG crisis,” he warned and feared that LPG prices could jump up to Rs400 per kg.

He alleged that some bureaucrats were conspiring against LPG importers and warned of a countrywide protest drive against the move. “Ban on LPG imports will create a gas crisis that will prove to be a big challenge for the PTI government,” he said.

“The government should take action against people involved in the conspiracy,” he said, adding that he had written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan and other top government functionaries to seek remedy.

Khokhar stated that any disruption to the supply chain would result in a gas crisis in the country and urged the government to take measures for smooth LPG supply.

He said liquefied natural gas (LNG) was not a solution to the gas crisis because of it being an expensive fuel and demanded that the government create a level playing field for LPG importers to boost supply and overcome gas shortage in the upcoming winter season.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2020.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.