LPG price in Pakistan mountainous areas hits record PKR 600 per kg

The LPG price in Pakistan has surged to a record PKR 600 per kilogram in mountainous areas and PKR 500 in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an industry statement said on Monday. The statement blames black marketing and calls for immediate imports to ease supply and price pressures.

What is the LPG price in Pakistan today?

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has set the October LPG price at PKR 279 per kilogram, with a domestic cylinder priced at PKR 3,350. Market prices are far higher. Cylinders are selling for as much as PKR 7,200 in mountainous regions and PKR 6,000 in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Why are LPG prices rising in Pakistan?

The industry statement alleged that black marketing has intensified, allowing sellers to charge consumers substantially above the regulated rates. It criticized the government and OGRA for failing to curb the practice. It also called for immediate measures to stabilize supplies and control prices.

The statement said prices could rise further in the coming days. It also pointed to continued natural gas load-shedding, which has added to the difficulties of households already struggling with rising fuel costs.

What does the LPG industry want the government to do?

The LPG industry's founding chairman urged the OGRA chairman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene. He called on the government to use Sui Southern Gas Co.'s terminal facilities and arrange immediate imports. The aim is to increase availability and ease price pressures.

The allegations of widespread overcharging and the reasons for the price surge could not be independently verified. The statement did not identify the specific mountainous areas where LPG was selling for PKR 600 per kilogram.