LPG Prices Hit Rs600 Per Kg Across Pakistan

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly selling for Rs500 to Rs600 per kilogram in markets across Pakistan, exceeding twice the official rate of Rs279.34 per kg set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for October.

Market sources have linked the sharp increase to supply interruptions following the reported closure of trade routes with Iran, alongside higher seasonal demand in northern regions, where households rely heavily on LPG for cooking and heating.

At current market rates, consumers are paying approximately Rs5,900 to Rs7,080 for an 11.8kg household cylinder. In comparison, the regulator's notified price puts the same cylinder at Rs3,296.23.

OGRA had already raised the official LPG rate by Rs20.69 per kg for October, taking it from Rs258.65 in September to Rs279.34.

LPG Distributors Association Chairperson Irfan Khokhar acknowledged the price surge and cautioned that consumers could face further increases in the days ahead. He partly blamed supply difficulties on the closure of the Iranian border, while criticising OGRA for failing to ensure compliance with officially announced rates.

Khokhar argued that local refineries and gas fields account for most of Pakistan's LPG supply. He alleged that inadequate regulatory supervision had allowed black-market trading and excessive price markups to flourish.

He urged the government to launch an immediate investigation into the situation, alleging that illegal LPG sales were generating billions of rupees in revenue.

The escalating prices have placed additional pressure on household budgets, particularly affecting low-income families and people living in areas with limited access to piped natural gas.

In Lahore, the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has also reportedly struggled to enforce officially notified LPG rates. Consumers continue to encounter prices well above OGRA's prescribed levels, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of government price monitoring and enforcement.