Pakistan is facing a severe LPG shortage ahead of winter as supplies through the Taftan border remain suspended, pushing retail prices to as high as Rs700 per kilogram in some areas, according to Geo News. The shortage has intensified despite an increase of Rs14 per kg in the official LPG price, which now stands at Rs294 per kg under a government notification. Consumers, however, say the commodity is largely unavailable at the notified rate. In Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, LPG is being sold for between Rs530 and Rs700 per kg. Prices in Karachi and Lahore range from Rs520 to Rs580 per kg, while consumers in Peshawar are paying between Rs600 and Rs650 per kg. Lahore residents also reported prices of Rs550 to Rs600 per kg at retail outlets. They urged the government to take action and bring prices closer to the official rate. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, speaking at a university convocation in Lahore, said uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz had affected oil and gas prices. He said Pakistan had successfully navigated the situation over the previous six months and maintained that petroleum prices were set through a transparent mechanism. Malik said gas supplies were arriving from Qatar and assured consumers that sufficient supplies would remain available during December and January. He also said the government was providing subsidised petrol to low-income people. Meanwhile, Pakistan LPG Marketers Association Senior Vice President Ali Haider said a summary concerning the LPG pricing policy had been sent to the prime minister. Haider warned that the proposed policy could increase LPG prices by 25 to 30 per cent. He said authorities had prepared it without consulting industry stakeholders. He added that higher prices would affect businesses and consumers and called on the government to deregulate the LPG sector. Post navigation PIA Dreamliner: First Boeing 787-9 arrives in Islamabad from London
