Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have surged sharply across major cities in Pakistan, with market rates far exceeding the official price set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Despite OGRA fixing the LPG price at Rs. 304.28 per kilogram, cylinders are being sold for Rs. 450 to Rs. 470 per kgin cities like Lahore, forcing consumers to pay up to Rs. 146 per kilogram above the official rate.
The LPG Distributors Association reports that daily nationwide consumption exceeds 6,000 metric tons.
Retailers claim they are not responsible for the price spike, citing higher costs from LPG marketing companies. Many vendors say it is financially impossible to sell cylinders at the government-set rate. They also highlight that legal actions often target small sellers, while larger suppliers continue to earn high profits with limited oversight.
The surge in LPG prices is hitting low-income households the hardest. Authorities have not provided a clear timeline for when energy prices might stabilize.
