The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been strongly criticised by LPG dealers following a raid on a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ship, with industry representatives warning that the move could worsen the country’s gas shortage.
Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association of Pakistan, Irfan Khokhar, said the raid had caused serious concern among LPG dealers and importers.
According to Khokhar, the FIA’s intervention has created uncertainty among importers, who have now indicated that they may refrain from placing further orders for LPG shipments. He warned that if the supply situation worsens, the price of LPG could rise sharply, with the rate potentially reaching Rs500 per kilogram.
Khokhar said the country is already facing a shortage of natural gas, adding that imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) have reportedly stopped since March 14. He urged the government to take immediate notice of the situation and stop what he described as unnecessary interference that could disrupt LPG imports.
Khokhar also appealed to Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, to intervene in the matter without delay. He warned that if the issue is not resolved promptly, many low-income households could struggle to cook during the holy month of Ramadan due to rising gas prices and supply shortages.