December 15, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 4, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: A delegation of LPG distributors and marketing companies, led by its chairman Mohammad Irfan Khokhar, called on Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ahsanullah Khan, here on Friday and informed him about the decision of the LPG Association to call off Dec 17 strike.

The minister appreciated the decision of the LPG distribution and marketing companies to call off their strike, saying “we all are Pakistanis and, therefore, we should think about it.”

He said our foremost priority should be the benefit and well-being of the common man. Ahsanullah informed that the government is already providing subsidy of around Rs6.7 billion per annum on LPG and the benefit of this subsidy must be passed onto consumers.

Petroleum secretary Farrakh Qayyum enumerated the measures taken by the government to ensure that interests of all stakeholders are protected and consumers get relief and better service.

Reiterating the government’s policy of giving top priority to the domestic consumers of LPG, he emphasised the need for investment in expansion of LPG domestic market.

Representatives of LPG marketing companies presented their viewpoint about LPG industry and appreciated the steps taken by the government to stabilize its prices.

Various suggestions were made to enhance availability of LPG in the country to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

LPG Distributors Association chairman thanked the minister for giving them opportunity to present their views on LPG industry.

He appreciated the government’s decision of de-linking LPG producers’ price from international prices which is consumer-friendly. He stated that had this decision not been taken, the consumer price would have increased by Rs20 per kg. He said it will bring stability in LPG prices and benefit the end-consumers.

He pledged that they will ensure that benefits of the policy change reach the poor man.

—APP