The people of Pakistan are forced to buy the world’s most expensive LPG, while in the presence of all institutions including the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the mafia has stolen more than Rs 1.4 billion from the pockets of the people in just 5 days. See Atlas Maps
According to Irfan Khokhar, Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association, 60 to 65 thousand kilograms of LPG are being used daily in Pakistan and due to weather change, the consumption of LPG is increasing and has reached 70 thousand kilograms.
He said that OGRA has set the price of LPG at Rs 280 per kilogram, while it is being sold at Rs 600 to Rs 600 per kilogram. The public is buying LPG by paying Rs 320 more per kilogram, and according to this, the public has paid more than Rs 1.4 billion and this amount has gone into the pockets of the LPG mafia in just five days.
Surprisingly, in the presence of institutions, the LPG mafia has been selling at arbitrary prices for 5 days, but OGRA has kept quiet and no action has been taken against any plant owner yet.
According to OGRA sources, meetings have been held for two days only to decide who will take action against them. OGRA is authorized to take action only against LPG marketing companies and plant owners, but so far no action has been taken against a single plant, while para-force has taken action against more than 10 shopkeepers across Punjab including Lahore.
The shopkeepers said, “What is our fault? The LPG mafia is giving us Rs. 550. How can we sell Rs. 280? The force comes and takes away our gas filling equipment and imposes fines separately. We have been forced to close the business.” On the other hand, Sheikh Mukarram, president of the LPG Importers Association, said that the situation worsened due to the closure of the Taftan border. There was a shortage, which caused the price to increase suddenly. Secondly, the OGRA notification is wrong. They are charging transportation fare based on the year 2010. The fare for bringing an LPG bowser is Rs. 50,000 to 60,000, but OGRA is not fixing it. He said that he has informed OGRA Chairman Samet and other high officials dozens of times, but no one is listening. What should we do now? Should we close the business, the situation will get out of control.
According to Irfan Khokhar, Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association, 70 percent of LPG is imported and 30 percent is domestically produced. The government should immediately take control so that affordable LPG can be available to the public.