LPG sector seeks facilitation

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector has urged authorities to treat it as a major industry and it should be given all necessary facilities.

In a meeting of the LPG Marketers Association held under the chairmanship of Farooq Iftikhar, it was pointed out that the LPG sector was playing a major supportive role by providing cost-effective and environment-friendly fuel for the middle and lower class besides providing huge revenue for the government and employment to millions.

Association members and stakeholders present in the meeting said the LPG sector was providing great support for the economy and masses but it was being ignored by decision-makers.

They highlighted that LPG was not only an affordable fuel but was also environment-friendly, which reduced air pollution by 90% in comparison to the traditionally burnt biomass. Iftikhar added “LPG burns almost completely as such the proportion of pollutants is low. If LPG is promoted as a fuel, it will push down consumption of fossil fuel, coal, wood, etc.”

“High calorific value makes LPG a cost-competitive and efficient fuel for users who are not connected to the natural gas network,” he said, adding that LPG could be stored in cylinders or special tanks along houses, farms, industrial complexes and the likes.

“At present, 1.2 million tons of LPG is consumed annually in the country by over 10 million households, commercial units and small industries,” he said. Iftikhar stressed that a huge investment had been made in the LPG sector, which should be protected with favourable policies of the government.

However, he lamented that current regulations had taken most of the LPG marketing companies on the verge of closure because of “thoughtless bidding for LPG quota, uncontrolled imports and smuggling of hazardous and low-quality LPG”.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2020.

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