ISLAMABAD: The liquefied petroleum gas distributors Tuesday showed their concerns over the shortage of gas in the upcoming winter season after the imposition of 5.5 per cent Advance Tax on import of the commodity.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors Association Pakistan Chairman, while talking to the state-owned news agency, said that the LPG demand will increase in the coming winter season and we are afraid of the LPG shortfall which can lead to worst crisis in the country’s history. Approximately, he said, there would be the need of 300,000 metric tons of the gas to meet demand of the commodity in the winter season from September to February.
During the season, the chairman said, demand of LPG increased and supply shrinked rapidly, adding, “We need approximately 50,000 to 60,000 metric tons of gas per month to maintain the supply chain.” In last three years, he said overall supply and availability of LPG remained smooth across the country due to effective policies of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. According to the data available on the website of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Khokhar said there was a huge import of LPG in last three years. “It is the highest import of gas in history of Pakistan.”
The chairman said he had suggested the OGRA chairperson in writing to withdraw the advance tax on import of LPG permanently or just for six months as it would help import of sufficient fuel and its availability at prescribed rates.
“LPG will be available at Rs 65 to 75 per kilogram (Rs 30 to 32 per liter) in the winter season,” he said. He also underlined the need for devising a policy allowing to set up a LPG dispensers at every Compress Natural Gas (CNG) station aimed at providing inexpensive fuel to consumers.
