Pakistan LPG prices rise by Rs 14.73 per kg as OGRA revises

People in Pakistan, already burdened by inflation following the US-Iran war scenario, faced another price increase on Saturday. The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rose by Rs 14.73 per kg, according to a report.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) issued a notification on Saturday setting LPG prices for November. The new price of LPG has been fixed at Rs 294.70 per kg. The price of a domestic LPG cylinder also rose by Rs 173.86, bringing its new rate to Rs 3,470.90.

Market prices reportedly far above OGRA rates

Before the notification, LPG was reportedly sold at Rs 550 per kg, almost double the Rs 279.34 per kilo rate fixed by OGRA, the report said. LPG Distributors Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar said companies were charging inflated rates and that rising demand for the fuel was being used for illegal profiteering.

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Khokhar said there were countrywide reports of LPG being sold between Rs 500 and Rs 600 per kilogram. He added that prices were likely to rise further because of supply disruption. He questioned how the market could stabilise if government-fixed rates were not implemented.

Distributors call for action against alleged black-marketing

Khokhar demanded an end to the alleged black-marketing of LPG and called for those behind it to be held accountable. The report also described a mafia in the LPG sector that it said was fleecing consumers by pushing up prices, creating a gap between the government rate and the market price.

The increases come after gas loadshedding, which has added to the strain on consumers. The report said rising LPG costs have hit low-income households hard as the cost of living continues to climb.