LAHORE: LPG Association of Pakistan welcomed the Lahore High Court verdict, allowing use of LPG as fuel in the vehicles and termed it far-reaching decision for economic growth of the country.
According to a statement issued here, Chairman LPG Association of Pakistan Farooq Iftikhar said that petition against use of LPG as fuel in the vehicles was surprising act of the government as there is a dire need to promote alternate fuels like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Farooq Iftikhar said that concerned government circles must keep it in minds that dependence on conventional fuels only, is one of the biggest cause of ongoing energy crisis.
“In recent past country has experienced severe energy crisis therefore government should strengthen LPG sector to avoid such situation in future”, Chairman LPG Association said.
He said that LPG Association of Pakistan has always advocated the use of environment friendly LPG in automobile sector as it would not only help government get rid of the fuel crisis but would also curtail the oil import bill thus reducing the ever widening trade deficit.
He said that association wants to work hand in hand with the government to undo the fuel crisis. He said that LPG Association of Pakistan was already supplementing government’s endeavors by controlling price of LPG as committed by them in a meeting with Federal Minister of Petroleum Shahid KhaqanAbbasi and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on December 24th, 2014.
He said that despite massive demand, LPG Association of Pakistan haskept the prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) down in the larger interests of the consumers. Though government pricing structure is highly flawed and the high prices of the locally produced LPG is the main cause of import of cheap and low grade of LPG in excess of the gap between demand and supply.
The Chairman LPG Association made it clear that recent past hike in LPG prices was not because of marketing companies but was due to the growing gap between demand and supply. He, however, said that the situation was well controlled by the Association.
“Today, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being sold on the advertised prices to give relief to the petrol crisis-hit masses.” He urged the government to bring down the LPG producer’s price through a policy framework in line with LPG Policy.
Mr. FarooqIftikhar said that it was an ample proof of LPG Association of Pakistan’s commitment with the country that despite severe crisis of petrol in the country, sufficient LPG was available.
LPGAP wants to emphasize on the Government that countries like Pakistan would be adversely affected if OPEC Countries reduce oil production, as such Government should encourage LPG as alternate fuel for the automobile sector on priority so that dependence on conventional fuel, like petrol and diesel is reduced.