LPG prices add to public misery

November 8, 2026

Pakistanis are facing yet another fuel price shock as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is being sold at almost double the official rate in several major cities. At a time when electricity bills and petrol prices are already eating into household budgets, the unchecked rise in LPG prices has added another burden to an already struggling public.

Despite the official price fixed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), LPG dealers are charging much higher rates in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Ghotki and Sargodha, leaving consumers with little choice but to pay.

In Karachi, LPG is being sold at Rs530 to Rs570 per kilogram, while prices in Lahore, Multan and Ghotki have reached Rs600 per kilogram. The situation is even worse in Sargodha, where consumers are paying between Rs610 and Rs650 per kilogram.

The most troubling part is that OGRA has fixed the official LPG price at Rs294 per kilogram for November. This means consumers in some areas are paying more than twice the notified rate. Such a huge difference raises serious questions about the government’s ability to enforce its own price regulations.

For many households, LPG is not a luxury but a basic necessity, particularly in areas where natural gas is unavailable or supply remains unreliable. Commercial users are also facing higher operating costs, which could eventually translate into more expensive goods and services.

One wonders whether soaring electricity bills and petrol prices were not enough to squeeze the public that consumers are now being forced to pay such excessive rates for another essential fuel.

The government cannot simply announce official prices and leave consumers at the mercy of dealers. Price control authorities must act against profiteering, ensure regular inspections and make LPG available at the notified rate. People are already struggling with inflation, low purchasing power and rising living costs. They need relief, not another shock every time they turn on a stove, fill a vehicle or receive an electricity bill.