Pakistan’s recent surge in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices may have forced consumers to pay between Rs. 60 billion and Rs. 70 billion above the official rate, according to estimates released by the Pakistan LPG Distributors Association.

The association said Pakistan consumes more than 6 million kilograms of LPG daily, while the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) fixed the June consumer price at Rs. 309 per kilogram. Despite this, LPG was reportedly sold across many parts of the country for over Rs. 600 per kilogram after supply concerns emerged following tensions in the Middle East.

According to the association, consumers paid roughly Rs. 300 more per kilogram than the notified price, resulting in an estimated Rs. 1.8 billion in additional spending every day. Over a month, the excess amount paid by consumers is estimated to exceed Rs. 54 billion, with total losses potentially reaching Rs. 60-70 billion during the price surge.

The association alleged that LPG marketing companies and plant operators increased wholesale prices, leaving retailers with no option but to pass the additional cost on to consumers. Retailers claimed they were buying LPG from plants for around Rs. 550 per kilogram, making it impossible to sell at OGRA’s notified price without incurring losses.

Distributors also alleged that some suppliers refused to issue receipts, making it difficult to document wholesale transactions or challenge alleged overpricing. They further claimed that enforcement actions largely targeted retailers, while companies and plant operators responsible for wholesale pricing escaped scrutiny.

The association said repeated attempts to obtain a response from OGRA officials and enforcement authorities on the issue did not receive any reply. The claims made by the association have not been independently verified, and OGRA has not publicly responded to the allegations.