Iran-Israel conflict: Govt should make urgent arrangements for LPG imports

ISLAMABAD: LPG Distributors Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar warned that the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict could lead to a severe LPG crisis across Pakistan if storage capacity is not immediately increased.

According to Khokhar, Pakistan faces a historic LPG shortfall. With borders closed due to the Iran-Israel war, he urged the government to make urgent special arrangements for LPG imports. Otherwise, Pakistan will experience a significant LPG shortage.

This potential shortage has also activated the LPG mafia, which could drive up the price of a domestic LPG cylinder to PKR 5,000 to PKR 6,000 or more. The per-kilogram price is expected to reach PKR 450 to PKR 500, while commercial cylinders could hit PKR 20,000 to PKR 23,000. Pakistan’s daily consumption is 6,000 metric tons, while monthly local production stands at 60,000 to 70,000 metric tons.

Khokhar highlights that the LPG terminals at Port Qasim, SSGC and EVTL, have a combined storage capacity of only 6,500 metric tons. The total storage at Port Qasim is 13,000 metric tons, which is insufficient for Pakistan’s needs. In contrast, a country like Bangladesh has an LPG storage capacity of 300,000 metric tons. He emphasizes the urgent need to increase Pakistan’s LPG storage.

He advises all distributors and shopkeepers to keep their stocks full.