Pakistan Says Iran Border Closure Contributing to Sharp Rise in LPG Prices
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has told the National Assembly that the closure of the Pakistan-Iran border is one of the main reasons behind soaring liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.
ISLAMABAD : According to Raaz News | Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the National Assembly on Monday that the closure of the Pakistan-Iran border was a major factor behind the sharp increase in domestic LPG prices.
“Closure of the Pak-Iran border is one of the main reasons for high LPG prices, and now we are trying to obtain the fuel through the sea route,” Malik said while responding to a calling-attention notice in the lower house of parliament.
The notice, jointly moved by lawmakers Aliya Kamran, Shahida Begum and Naeema Kishwar Khan, highlighted the unprecedented rise in LPG prices and the growing public concern over the situation.
Aliya Kamran told the assembly that LPG was being sold for between Rs700 and Rs800 per kilogram in Pakistan’s remote and northern areas, compared with the official rate of Rs280 per kilogram set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
LPG is a major source of household energy in remote parts of Pakistan where piped natural gas is unavailable. Demand for the fuel typically rises during the winter months, putting additional pressure on prices and supply.
During the proceedings, Naeema Kishwar Khan questioned the government’s decision to suspend cross-border trade with Iran.
In response, Malik said that between 50 and 60 percent of Pakistan’s LPG imports had been sourced from Iran, while the remaining requirement was met through supplies from Qatar. He added that LPG supplies from Qatar had also been suspended amid the war between the United States and Iran.
The minister said the government was reviewing the existing supply system and pursuing a policy of securing gas from alternative international sources to address shortages and stabilize the market.
Malik also acknowledged that OGRA’s official LPG price was Rs280 per kilogram. However, he noted that the fuel was not being sold at the government-prescribed rate in the market, even during periods of adequate supply.
The developments have intensified concerns over energy affordability in Pakistan, particularly in remote areas where households depend heavily on LPG for cooking and other essential needs.