The LPG rate in Pakistan has risen well above the official figure, and PTI, the opposition party, says it will approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over the gap. Consumers are reportedly paying Rs600 to Rs800 per kg, close to double the Rs294 per kg that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) notified for November. The party calls the difference profiteering and accuses the government of failing to protect households.
Why the gap matters
LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, is a cooking fuel relied on by many households that do not have piped natural gas. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the government had not taken concrete steps, even though the fuel is essential for millions of homes. He asked how sellers could price it so high when the official body had set a far lower figure, and he demanded an investigation into companies, importers and distributors that allegedly gain from the difference.
Party's demands and supply figures
Akram called for a forensic audit covering the whole LPG supply chain, from imports and customs papers to bank transactions, local output, stock records and retail prices. The party wants preliminary findings published within 30 days. It also seeks disclosure of companies that benefit from the quota system, recovery of any amounts collected unlawfully, and compensation for affected consumers.
The party's statement puts Pakistan's daily LPG use at about 7,000 tonnes, against domestic production of roughly 2,000 tonnes. That leaves Pakistan reliant on foreign supply, mainly from Iran. The party's leader also calculated that an extra Rs400 per kg margin on that daily volume would total Rs2.8 billion a day, or Rs84 billion a month. These are the party's own estimates.
What happens next
PTI has announced it will approach the IHC over alleged profiteering and what it calls the government's failure to protect households. The party has also urged that unlawful gains be recovered and that those responsible be held accountable. Until the matter reaches the court, the Rs294 per kg Ogra rate for November remains the benchmark the party is using to measure the retail gap.
Aasan alfaaz mein
LPG ka rate Pakistan mein Ogra ki notify ki gayi Rs294 per kg qeemat se kaafi upar pahunch gaya hai, aur PTI ke mutabiq kai jagah log Rs600 se Rs800 per kg tak dey rahe hain. Opposition party ne Islamabad High Court jaane ka elaan kiya hai aur is mamle ki tafteesh ki maang ki hai. Agar aap LPG istemal karte hain, khaaskar woh ghar jinke paas piped gas nahi, to is ka seedha asar aap ke kharche par parega. Khareedne se pehle rate zaroor poochh lein.
