Restaurants 'hoard' cylinders amid anticipated LPG crisis

Amid fears of a looming liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crisis, large hotels and tandoors in Rawalpindi have allegedly begun hoarding gas cylinders, buying and storing four to seven extra commercial cylinders.

LPG Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar warned that tensions between Iran and Israel could aggravate the LPG situation, with negative impacts already being felt.

He expressed concern over a potential nationwide shortfall in LPG supply.

According to Khokhar, the price of domestic gas cylinders could exceed Rs6,000, with per-kilogram rates reaching up to Rs500.

Commercial cylinder prices could hit Rs23,000. Pakistan's daily LPG consumption stands at 6,000 metric tons, while current reserves are insufficient.

Only 13,000 metric tons of LPG are stored at Port Qasim, and imports of 100,000 metric tons per month from the Pak-Iran border have been halted.

The association has submitted a formal request to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Minister of Petroleum for immediate action. Without timely intervention, a severe gas cylinder crisis is feared.