LPGDAP appreciates govt. for smooth supply of LPG in winter.

ISLAMABAD -- Chairman Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors Association Pakistan (LPGDAP) Irfan Khokhar Tuesday appreciated the government efforts for ensuring smooth supply of the commodity during the ongoing winter season at prescribed rates across the country.

'Sufficient quantity of the LPG is available in the country after the present government established its writ in this sector, abolished regulatory duty and reduced general sales tax on import of the commodity,' he said while talking to reporter.

However, he underlined the need for streamlining the matters related to LPG distribution at local level by granting permission to shopkeepers fulfilling the prescribed safety standards. 'It will further help improve the LPG supply and end blackmailing of certain elements. I am confident that the LPG supply will remain smooth throughout the winter season as the country's local production has increased and the import is stable.'

He welcomed the government strategy of opening up the LPG sector by ending the quota system, under which Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) would hold open auction of the locally produced commodity. 'The PPL has started holding the open auction in which around 200 marketing companies are participating. It (open auction) has established writ of the state and ended monopoly of the cartels.'

Meanwhile, a senior official privy to the petroleum sector developments told reporter that the government was finalizing a new LPG policy, under which the commodity production would be mandatory from all existing natural gas producing fields to meet the increasing demand and ensure its availability at controlled price throughout the year especially during the winter season.

'A new LPG policy has almost been finalized, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Under this policy, the LPG production will be mandatory from all operational gas fields across the country to meet its increased demand and curtail the import.

He said the production from LPG's existing plants, installed at different fields, would be streamlined, however, a period of one to two years would be required to set up new plants at the fields where the facility was not...