Govt moves to curb LPG hoarding ahead of winter
• Petroleum Division flags irregular lifting of imported LPG from terminals • Ogra asked to ensure supplies at notified prices, particularly in remote areas ISLAMABAD: The government has taken notice of the alleged hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to create an artificial shortage ahead of winter and directed all relevant federal and provincial agencies to take coordinated action.…
The government has taken steps to curb alleged LPG hoarding in anticipation of winter, directing federal and provincial agencies to take coordinated action. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has been instructed to ensure LPG supplies at notified prices, especially in remote areas. Reports suggest that LPG is being sold at roughly 50% higher rates (Rs5,000 per 11.8kg domestic cylinder) than the price set by Ogra (Rs3,296).
This discrepancy is believed to be due to LPG importers not regularly unloading imported quantities at terminals, resulting in an artificial shortage in domestic markets and causing price hikes, particularly in hilly, remote, and off-grid regions. The Petroleum Division has urged Ogra to take enforcement action to maintain LPG availability for consumers at the notified prices, particularly in challenging areas.
Additionally, the division emphasized its commitment to a transparent mechanism for disposing of locally produced LPG through a competitive process, aiming to level the playing field for the industry and address market concentration issues.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
