LPG Price in Pakistan Tops Rs500 Per Kg as Iran Border Cut-Off Squeezes Supply

Liquefied petroleum gas prices have surged past Rs500 per kilogram in parts of Pakistan, with consumers in Karachi paying up to Rs540 on Wednesday — a jump of Rs80 in just 24 hours. In Lahore and other cities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rates ranged between Rs500 and Rs600 per kg, pushing an 11.8-kg domestic cylinder as high as Rs7,200.
That is roughly double the official rate: OGRA's notified October price stands at about Rs279-280 per kg, with the 11.8-kg cylinder priced at Rs3,350. One estimate puts the excess burden on households at more than Rs1.4 billion over five days of overcharging, and distributors warn prices could climb another Rs150-200 per kg within days if supplies stay cut off.
The squeeze stems from the suspension of border trade with Iran. Distributors say about 80% of Pakistan's imported LPG arrives through border trade, and 4,500-5,000 tons of daily supply is at risk out of national consumption of about 7,000 tons. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing — which alone handled over 4,000 tons a day — was shut after the commerce ministry withdrew an October 3 order allowing trade through Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan.
There may be relief ahead: around 1,000 Iranian LPG tankers loaded before October 16 have been cleared to enter, and officials expect prices could drop by up to Rs50 per kg within 48 hours as fresh supplies reach the market.
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