The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been raised by Rs 120 per 45.4kg cylinder on Friday, traders said. Business Recorder has learnt that marketing companies have increased the LPG prices by Rs 3 per kg and Rs 30 to Rs 35 per 11.8kg cylinder. LPG is now selling at Rs 60 to Rs 61 per kg in Karachi, Rs 61 to Rs 62 in Lahore and Rs 66 to Rs 67 per kg in Peshawar.
All Pakistan LPG Distributions Association Chairman Abdul Hadi Khan said that some marketing companies have illegally raised LPG rates. Marketing companies were of the view that there was gap in the demand and supply of LPG due to inadequate production during winter. Therefore, LPG rates have been increased to minimise its consumption to cater for great demand.
Hadi termed the increase as unjustified, saying that the fresh hike in LPG rates would badly hit the industry, adding that the marketing companies have killed the concept of provision of cheapest fuel to masses. He said the cartel of black marketeers were very active in Lahore, who were using all illegal means to raise the LPG rates upto Rs 100 per kg. He further said that 11.8kg LPG cylinder would be sold at Rs 615 to Rs 620, while 45.4kg LPG cylinder would be available at Rs 2435.
He called for designing policy of fixation of LPG rate in ton. "If the government takes positive measures in this regard, the consumers would get LPG at very nominal rates," he maintained. He said the government should establish a task force to control LPG rates, besides taking stern action against those marketing companies, distributors and producers who were illegally charging excess amount on its sales.