LAHORE: More than 1,000 representatives of Pakistan’s LPG sector gathered in Lahore on Sunday for the All Pakistan LPG Industry Conference, where industry leaders blamed OGRA and other regulatory bodies for the current price hike and supply crisis, and warned of a nationwide shutdown if their demands were not met within three days.
The conference was hosted and chaired by prominent industry leader Haji Nouman Ahmed, who brought together LPG importers, marketing companies, distributors, transporters and plant owners from across the country on a single platform. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Haji Nouman Ahmed said LPG has now become a basic necessity for every household, but OGRA officials were continuously misleading the government in price notifications.
READ ALSO: Concern expressed over increase in LPG prices
He explained that OGRA’s notifications only determine the price of locally produced LPG, while completely ignoring the cost of imported LPG, actual consumption volumes, and real transportation issues. Nouman Ahmed said the purpose of the conference was to present a united industry position to the government and to demand action against manufacturers and distributors of substandard cylinders that were putting public safety at risk.
Other speakers at the conference also strongly criticized OGRA and related departments for what they called flawed policies and harassment of legitimate businesses.
Irfan Nazir Kahlo and Syed Atiqullah, representatives of the LPG transporters, complained that LPG was being imported from as far as 3,300 kilometres in Iran, but OGRA had notified a freight rate of only Rs 8,000, which was applicable for local transportation. They said drivers and vehicles were being subjected to undue harassment on the roads.
Due to the deteriorating security situation, especially in Balochistan, LPG bowsers had come under attack, resulting in losses of up to Rs 1.5 billion. They added that more than 450 companies were currently importing LPG in the country and were being treated unfairly, while the Para Force had little understanding of plant operations and was conducting raids that only served to intimidate the industry.
Mian Ajmal, leader of the All Pakistan LPG Distributors, revealed that OGRA was still applying freight rates from 2016 and a dealer margin that was 10 years old. He said he had briefed the Federal Minister on all these facts and had demanded that OGRA correct its approach.
Speakers also expressed serious concern over the security situation. They noted that because of unrest in Balochistan, LPG that should be selling at Rs 250 per kg was now being sold in the market for more than Rs 500 per kg. They urged the government to tighten security so that affordable fuel could reach every household.
Under the leadership of Haji Nouman Ahmed, all stakeholders rejected what they termed illegal raids, fines and sealing of plants by OGRA, PERA and Civil Defence. The conference approved a unanimous Charter of Demands and formed an Industry Coordination Committee that will forward its recommendations to the relevant ministries.
The business community issued a clear ultimatum to the government and OGRA. Haji Nouman Ahmed announced that if the demands were not accepted and reforms were not introduced within three days, the entire LPG sector would go on strike next week.
All LPG plants, shops and transport would be completely shut down, and traders would take to the streets in strong protests.
The conference concluded with a resolve that the industry would speak with one voice until its issues of pricing, security, and fair regulations were addressed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026