LPG strike postponed after talks

Dawn reported on Nov 10 that the Pakistan LPG Marketers Association called off a strike it had planned for Nov 16, following a meeting with Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi. The association had proposed the stoppage to protest what it described as a lack of consultation on LPG policy. Talks covered supply and policy issues amid energy pressures and the Middle East situation.

The governor said uninterrupted LPG availability was important and undertook to relay the delegation’s concerns to the relevant ministry. Association senior vice president Ali Haider said stakeholder input was needed and urged lower duties and taxes on imported gas, while consumers have recently paid Rs500-550 per kg. Pakistan imported LPG worth $285 million in 1QFY27, 22pc more than the $235m recorded a year earlier; Haider also said winter demand could rise and imported LPG contract prices might fall in December if the US-Iran war eased.