Pakistan: LPG price hike causes hardship for Peshawar residents

Islamabad, June 15 (IANS) Residents of Peshawar city of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been facing problems as the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have increased from Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 400 to PKR 550 due to the artificial hikes caused by traders following a shortage of Sui Gas, local media reported on Monday.

Low gas pressure and frequent unavailability of piped natural gas have forced many residents to buy LPG cylinders, which has led to a sharp rise in demand. Traders have taken advantage of the situation and have been selling LPG cylinders at higher prices to people, Pakistan’s daily The Express Tribune reported. Notably, the official government price for LPG is PKR 300 per kilogram.

People have raised concern over the increase in the price of LPG cylinders. After receiving complaints from the people, the district administration carried out inspections and took action against violators.

Last week, people in Hyderabad city of Pakistan’s Sindh province complained that they were not receiving gas supply during the nine-hour daily schedule announced by the gas utility.

As per Sui Southern Gas Company’s (SSGC) schedule, gas should be supplied for three hours each in the morning, afternoon and night. However, residents from several areas of Hyderabad have said that the gas utility company has not been able to supply gas during this limited schedule, The Express Tribune reported.

In some of the areas which received a gas supply, residents complained of extremely low pressure that made cooking nearly impossible. According to the residents, gas pipelines during the scheduled time carry only air for 15-20 minutes before gas starts to flow. Women said they repeatedly light stoves to check if the gas supply has begun, leaving burners open so the air can escape, leading to a rise in monthly bills as the meter keeps running.

A resident of Latifabad complained, “We are paying for air in our gas bills while spending hours in the kitchen to cook a single meal.”

The shortage of gas supply has resulted in an increase in sales of electric stoves, induction cooktops, ceramic cookers, solar ovens and domestic LPG cylinders, which have a capacity of 2-12 kilograms, The Express Tribune reported. Furthermore, people are also buying fibreglass LPG cylinders as they are lighter and rust-proof.

–IANS

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