LPG industry warns of winter shortage as pricing and Balochistan transport issues persist

Pakistan could face an LPG shortage during the coming winter unless the government revises the official price and restores disrupted transport routes in Balochistan, representatives of the industry’s organising committee warned.

In a statement, committee leader Khawaja Nouman Ahmed said the sector had been unable to build its usual summer inventories because imports remained limited and supply conditions were unfavourable.

He said demand typically begins rising from mid-August, leaving little time to arrange additional cargoes and create buffer stocks.

The industry first raised the matter at the All Pakistan LPG Conference held on July 12, where participants questioned OGRA’s price determination and highlighted broader structural problems affecting the sector.

A 20-member delegation later met officials of OGRA and the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Energy to discuss the concerns. Ahmed said the talks were constructive but needed to be followed by concrete decisions.

The committee said OGRA’s notified LPG price did not fully reflect import costs and related expenses, making it difficult for companies to maintain supplies.

It also called for improved security and restoration of transport routes in Balochistan, where law and order problems have disrupted the movement of LPG.

Industry representatives said the combination of low stocks, limited imports and transport bottlenecks could push prices higher and affect domestic consumers if demand increases before supplies improve.

The committee urged the government to revise the official price in line with actual import costs and secure the main supply corridor through Balochistan.

It said a workable pricing mechanism and uninterrupted transport were necessary for plant owners, distributors and other market participants to meet winter demand.

The industry expects a response from the Petroleum Division and OGRA by the end of the week.