LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has become very expensive in parts of Pakistan. Dawn reports that prices have reached a record Rs600 per kg in hilly areas and about Rs500 per kg in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The official price set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is Rs279 per kg for October. Here is what is behind the gap, what officials have said and what families can do.
LPG Prices Now
| Price | Per kg | Domestic cylinder |
|---|---|---|
| OGRA price for October | Rs279.34 | Rs3,296.23 |
| Market price in Punjab and KP (Dawn) | About Rs500 | About Rs6,000 |
| Market price in hilly areas (Dawn) | Up to Rs600 | About Rs7,200 |
Dawn says the average market price across the country is around Rs450 per kg. The OGRA price rose by about Rs20.69 per kg in October, according to ARY News and Pakistan Observer. Dawn gives the official cylinder price as Rs3,350, which differs from the Rs3,296.23 reported by ARY News and Pakistan Observer. The ARY and Observer figure matches the per-kg price, so I used it. Dawn did not state the cylinder’s weight. The Observer says the 11.8 kg domestic cylinder costs Rs3,296.23.
Why Prices Have Jumped
Dawn gives these reasons:
- Supply from Iran has stopped. Dawn says supplies from Iran are very small after the sudden closure of trading points with Iran.
- Winter demand is rising. Gas load-shedding in SNGPL areas, and some SSGC areas, is pushing more households towards LPG.
Dawn reports that Pakistan uses 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes of LPG daily, rising to 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes in the peak of winter. It says the country makes 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes a day, and that an equal amount comes from imports and smuggling from Iran.
What Happened at the Iran Border
Dawn reported on 18 October that Pakistan suspended trade with Iran through the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings after a Commerce Ministry memorandum. Reasons given differ:
- An adviser to Balochistan’s chief minister said it was to address security concerns, prevent smuggling and make the border system more effective.
- Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman put it down to “technical issues.”
Dawn reports that hundreds of trucks carrying LPG, rice, fruit and other goods were stranded on both sides. It says more than 4,000 tonnes of LPG a day had reportedly been imported through Gabd-Rimdan, and that sources warned the closure could worsen shortages in Karachi and elsewhere. Both sides call the closure temporary, but no reopening date has been given.
What the LPG Distributors Say
Irfan Khokhar, chairman of the LPG Distributors Association, is the source of the price figures. Minute Mirror notes that the figures are “reportedly” high and not independently confirmed. Khokhar warned that prices could rise further in the coming days. He also criticised OGRA, saying: “The entire situation stems from the regulator’s mismanagement and lack of oversight.” He called for:
- Immediate LPG imports.
- Changes to OGRA’s notifications.
- A basket price for imported and local LPG, similar to how petrol and diesel are priced.
Dawn’s report includes no response from the government or OGRA. These are the association’s views, and the regulator’s side has not been reported.
Why the Official Price Is Not What You Pay
OGRA’s notified price is the rate that should apply. When supply is short, sellers may charge much more. That gap is why people in some areas report paying double the official rate. Minute Mirror says households in areas with little or no piped gas are hit hardest.
What Families Can Do
- Ask for the OGRA price, and compare quotes from more than one seller.
- Buy only from licensed dealers, and avoid unsafe refilling of cylinders from unlicensed sources.
- Use gas carefully. Keep lids on pots and use the right size of burner.
- If you are overcharged, note the shop and price, and report it through your local district administration or OGRA’s complaint channels. Check the details on OGRA’s official website.
What Is Not Yet Clear
- How long the Iran border closure will last.
- Whether OGRA or the government will act on the distributors’ demands.
- Whether prices will keep rising through winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official LPG price in October?
Rs279.34 per kg, according to ARY News and Pakistan Observer.
How high are market prices?
Up to Rs600 per kg in hilly areas and about Rs500 in Punjab and KP, according to Dawn.
Why is LPG short?
Dawn says supplies from Iran have nearly stopped, and demand is rising with winter gas load-shedding.
Has the government responded?
The reports I read include no response from the government or OGRA.
Will prices fall soon?
Nobody has said. The distributors’ chairman warned they may rise further.
For many households, LPG is the only cooking fuel. Watch for news on the Iran border and any OGRA action.
