Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketing companies have increased the LPG price by Rs 5 per kg, Rs 60 per 12-kg domestic cylinder and Rs 240 per 45-kg commercial cylinder for the fourth time in a fortnight. After the recent increase, per kg prices of LPG in different cities would be as follows:
Lahore, Gujrat and Sialkot Rs 105 per kg against previous Rs 100 per kg; D G Khan, Jhang, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, D I Khan, Sargodha and Kashmore Rs 115 per kg against previous Rs 110; Murree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Haripur Rs 125 against previous Rs 120 per kg; Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan Rs 135 against previous Rs 130 and Karachi Rs 90-95 per kg.
According to LPG Distributors Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar, it was fourth increase in LPG price within 15 days. Recently, federal minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain had underlined the need to bring down the prices of LPG so that a common consumer could also use this instead of firewood.
Dr Asim termed high prices of LPG as a serious threat to forests of Pakistan, saying that if LPG prices could not be brought down it would destroy forest in the country. But the LPG distribution companies increased the price for the fourth time without consulting the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to officials at the petroleum ministry the LPG prices are witnessing a declining trend in international market as during one month LPG price fell by $105 per ton, but in Pakistan the distributors have increased the price.
According to Ogra officials, regulating the prices of gas and petroleum products is sole responsibility of Ogra, but LPG marketing companies are raising the prices at will. The official said LPG distribution companies are not following rules and regulations, as the license holders of most of these companies are bigwigs or retired civil and military officials.