LPG sells for Rs570 per kg in Lahore

Consumers accuse vendors of restricting open sale amid govt crackdown

LAHORE:

Residents of the city are struggling with soaring liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, with vendors selling the fuel for as much as Rs570 per kilogramme despite the official rate of Rs279, adding to the financial pressure on households already grappling with rising living costs.

Consumers said some LPG vendors had suspended open sales following government action to control prices but continued selling the gas discreetly to customers willing to pay high rates.

A resident, Muhammad Ali, criticised the government for failing to regulate LPG prices and ensure supplies at affordable rates.

Another citizen said the government had also failed to provide piped natural gas reliably, even in the provincial capital, forcing consumers to rely on alternative fuels for cooking and other household needs.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has fixed the consumer price of LPG at Rs279 per kg for October, with the price of a domestic cylinder set at Rs3,350. However, the prevailing open-market rates reported by consumers and traders are substantially higher, widening the gap between the regulated price and what households are being asked to pay.

The price surge comes amid supply disruptions following the closure of key trading crossings between Pakistan and Iran. The Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings were closed on October 17, disrupting LPG imports and contributing to shortages in the domestic market.

Pakistan relies on both domestic production and imports to meet its LPG requirements. Local production is estimated at 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes a day, while daily consumption stands at 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes. Demand typically rises to over 6,000 tonnes a day during peak winter, when households increasingly depend on LPG for cooking and heating.

The interruption has raised concerns about whether supplies will be sufficient to meet demand as temperatures fall. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing subsequently reopened for Pakistani exports of perishable items.