LPG distributors, marketing companies to meet Ahsan
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—A delegation of LPG Distributors and LPG Marketing Companies will meet Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ahsan Ullah Khan and apprised him about problems being faced by them. Chairman, LPG Distributors Association, Irfan Khokar told this agency that the delegation would informed the Minister that LPG Industry has suffered a major set back ever since the local price of LPG was linked to international prices resulting in the highest ever LPG prices for the consumers.
He claimed that LPG production companies have made 133 percent increase in the LPG prices during the last 19 months.
“The continuously escalating prices have not only dampened demand but have also resulted in an increased use of wood and bio mass by majority of rural people to fulfil their cooking and heating requirements”, he added.
Irfan Khokhar alleged that the LPG producers earned a profit amounting to Rs.2.76 billion by selling local LPG on international rates.
He pointed out that only 46,434 metric tons and 37,000 tons of LPG was imported during the year 2006 and 2007 respectively which is only 6 percent to 7 percent of the total consumption.
Irfan Khokhar said that billions of dollars have been invested in the LPG industry during the last nine years, adding, only 17 LPG marketing companies were working in the country and now their number has risen to 63.
The consumers, rickshaw and taxi drivers were suffering owing to increase in prices of LPG, he added.
Irfan Khokhar said the delegation would also give suggestions to the Minister for solution of various problems being faced by the LPG sector.
It may be mentioned that the delegation would also meet with the officials of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to inform about problems of LPG industry.