The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has increased sharply in Lahore due to the shortage and frequent interruptions of piped gas.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the official LPG price at Rs254.32 per kilogram.
However, according to the reports, LPG is being sold in Lahore at prices ranging from Rs370 to Rs520 per kilogram.
This means that consumers are paying up to Rs266 more per kilogram than the official rate.
The sudden increase has caused concern among LPG users. Many households have turned to LPG. This is because of frequent gas supply interruptions and load-shedding.
Consumers have urged the government to take action against sellers who are charging higher prices.
They have also called for strict implementation of the official LPG rate set by OGRA.
People said that controlling overcharging is important as many families depend on LPG when piped gas is not available.
Lahore high court halts companies of additional LPG premium charges
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered LPG companies to stop collecting additional premium charges from consumers. This has given them temporary relief.
Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf heard a petition filed by Advocate Murtaza Khan. The petitioner said that LPG companies were still charging extra premium fees despite an earlier court order against the practice.
The petition stated that more than 40 applications had been submitted to the Lahore High Court over the issue.
It also said that LPG companies were collecting extra money from consumers in the name of a “premium”.
According to the petitioner, these charges were against existing laws and regulations.
The court expressed concern over the allegations and said that companies could not ignore court orders.
Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf said businesses providing essential products to the public must follow the law and act responsibly.
The judge also noted that extra charges put more financial pressure on families already struggling with inflation.