Pakistan is facing a severe liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage ahead of winter as supplies through the Taftan border remain suspended, pushing retail prices to as high as Rs700 per kilogramme in parts of the country.
The shortage comes as the official LPG price has also been increased by Rs14 per kg to Rs294 per kg, according to a notification. However, consumers said the commodity was not available at the government-notified rate.
In Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, LPG was being sold for between Rs530 and Rs700 per kg, while prices in Karachi and Lahore ranged from Rs520 to Rs580 per kg.
In Peshawar, the commodity was selling for between Rs600 and Rs650 per kg.
Consumers in Lahore, meanwhile, said LPG was being sold at shops for Rs550 to Rs600 per kg despite the official price of Rs294, calling on the government to bring prices down.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz had affected oil and gas prices.
He said Pakistan had successfully navigated the situation over the past six months and maintained that petroleum prices were determined through a transparent mechanism.
Malik said gas supplies were arriving from Qatar and assured that ample supplies would continue during December and January.
He also said the government was providing subsidised petrol to low-income people.
