ISLAMABAD - The LPG Distributors Association has underlined the need for the government to take solid measures for promoting LPG to overcome energy shortage in the country.
Talking to APP on Monday, the association’s Chairman Irfan Khokhar was of the view the government could not afford for long to provide gas to the CNG sector at the cost of domestic sector which was facing gas shortage especially in winter season. Thus, he added, the government could promote the LPG to take effective
steps for encouraging opening of LPG auto gas stations, across the country.
He said the LPG association would be fully co-operating with the government by presenting workable proposals to resolve issues for promoting LPG to extend immediate relief to consumers who were already faced with high prices of daily-use commodities.He said many investors were making efforts to open LPG auto gas stations, in order to provide environment-friendly and safe fuel to consumers.
“We have high hopes from government to take effective steps for provision of relief to common people by promoting the LPG, across the country,” he observed.
He also called upon the government to take notice of frequent raises in prices of the commodity to extend relief to consumers. He said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) should play its role by taking action against the unethical forces in the LPG sector, that were extracting money through unjustified raises.
“The LPG is mainly used as burning fuel by the poor people of the remote areas and rising trend in its price would put extra burden on their pockets,” he observed.
He said Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources would soon issue a notification providing for 35 per cent decrease in base price of the fuel, which would effect fall in retail price as well.
He also appreciated the government for its efforts to cap the gas price at affordable price, while in past price of one kilogram ranged between Rs 230 to 250.
He said there was adequate stock available for masses’ requirements and any raise in its price would be unfair and unjustified.
He also underlined the need for taking solid steps to explore indigenous hydrocarbon resources to effectively tackle the energy challenges confronting the country.
He said the Hungarian Oil and Gas Company, MOL which is operator of the Tal Block in Kohat had started production from a field in Kohat and 450 metric tonn LPG per day landed in market.
He added the total LPG production would enhance to around 700 metric this year, which go a long way in bringing down prices of the fuel.