The shortage of Sui gas and low pressure in Lahore have added to residents’ difficulties, forcing domestic consumers to purchase expensive LPG. Recent reports have also highlighted the sale of LPG in Lahore at prices significantly higher than the official rate.
The demand for LPG has increased in various parts of the city due to the unavailability of gas. However, shopkeepers are reportedly ignoring official prices and charging customers arbitrarily high rates.
The official price of LPG for August has been set at Rs254 per kilogram, but complaints have emerged that the same gas is being sold for around Rs450 per kilogram in Lahore’s markets.
Residents say Sui gas is unavailable in their homes, while low pressure has made cooking difficult. They add that purchasing LPG cylinders as an alternative is also becoming increasingly unaffordable for ordinary households.
Affected residents have urged the district administration to take immediate notice of the gas shortage and the sale of LPG above the official price, and to take action against profiteering.
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.