The local producers of liquefied petroleum gas have reduced prices by PKR 2,436 per tonne to PKR 84,082 per tonne decreasing retail price by PKR 2.5 to PKR 112 per kilogram to PKR 120 per kilogram.

Mr Mohammad Attique Khan acting chairman of All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association said that the price of 11.8 kilogram cylinder dropped by PKR 30 and 45.4 kilogram cylinder by PKR 111. He expressed dissatisfaction over a minimal decline of PKR 2.5 and urged the producers to slash LPG price by another PKR 2,500 per tonne for September.

Mr Attique said that due to exorbitant increase in LPG prices, 80% public transport, especially auto rickshaws, delivery vans and pick ups have been converted from LPG to CNG. The domestic consumers in hilly areas are illegally using small CNG tanks instead of LPG. This is dangerous, as well.

He said that during Ramazan, LPG use declined to 15%. It has now grown to 30% after Ramazan. The LPG distributors have slashed their profit margins due to its high price while hundreds of local distributors have closed down their businesses due to falling sales.

He added that commercial vehicles in remote and hilly areas have also stopped using LPG due to high prices. The LPG sale would further fall if its prices are not decreased by at least PKR 2,500 in September. The producers must consider the interest of their consumers.

(Sourced from www.thenews.com.pk)