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KARACHI:
Adequate stocks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are available in the country, with several consignments arriving at Port Qasim, LPG Distributors Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar said on Tuesday.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khokhar said that two LPG-carrying vessels — ARIES, bringing 11,000 metric tonnes, and ATLANTIC, carrying 12,000 metric tonnes – have already anchored at Port Qasim.
Two more consignments are expected to reach Pakistan before Eidul Fitr, including 3,700 tonnes aboard the vessel ULLSWATER and 3,500 tonnes via the ship MD23.
He said that although the official government price of LPG is Rs225 per kilogram, a “gas mafia” is selling it at Rs350 to Rs450 per kilogram, citing the energy crisis triggered by the US-Iran conflict and the sharp rise in global crude oil prices.
Khokhar termed the price hike grossly unjust to consumers already burdened by inflation.
He added that the uncertain situation in the Middle East following the US-Iran conflict has pushed global LPG prices up by about $200 per tonne, while shipping freight rates have also increased due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite this, he said, ample LPG stocks are available in the country, accusing profiteers of spreading negative rumours to create panic among consumers and force large-scale purchases.
Khokhar said that recent signals pointing toward a ceasefire and the arrival of additional LPG consignments are expected to stabilise prices in the coming days.
