RAWALPINDI: The cold wave, availability of natural gas for only six hours daily and the high prices of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) have compelled residents to use alternative fuels for cooking.

Most of the people have started using wood and coal as the prices of LPG cylinders have reached Rs600 per kg against Rs279 per kg fixed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

The district administration and Ogra have however failed to ensure the availability of LPG at the fixed prices.

On the other hand, the Sui Natural Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) has stopped providing LPG cylinders to domestic and commercial consumers for the last two months and private companies are selling it at higher prices to cash in on the situation.

LPG not available and SNGPL has stopped supply of cylinders in twin cities, says official

The price of an 11kg domestic gas cylinder has reached Rs6,500, while commercial cylinders are available at over Rs25,000.

Due to the prolonged, unannounced suspension of the piped natural gas supply, combined with the staggering surge in LPG prices, many households are now left without any means to cook.

“I have bought LPG cylinders as Sui gas is available only from 7am to 9am, 12 noon to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm,” said Mohammad Sajjad, a resident of Media Town.

He said the low pressure of natural gas had disturbed the daily routine of people and SNGPL failed to solve the issue.

Israr Ahmed, a resident of Gowalmandi, said that they had been facing shortage of gas with the start of the cold weather. “Gas remains available only for six hours and we had to buy an LPG cylinder which is an additional burden,” he said.

“We have been facing shortage of gas for the last over a month. Small factories set up in Gowalmandi suck gas from the supply line by using compressors, adding to the problems of the residents,” said Abdul Rasheed, a resident.

He said residents had lodged complaints with the relevant department several times but to no avail.

“The sale of LPG has increased manifold. Earlier, people from far-flung areas got their cylinders filled, but now local residents have also started buying cylinders and refilling it once a week,” said Mohammad Akmal, a shopkeeper on Ch. Bostan Khan Road.

He said prices of LPG increased as they purchased it from local dealers at high prices. He said decanting was not allowed but people were facing problems so we re-fill cylinders. When contacted, SNGPL officials said the company had issued the schedule for availability of gas for breakfast, lunch and dinner times.

They said LPG was not available with the company and SNGPL stopped supply of cylinders in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad two months ago. They said that as soon as LPG arrived at Karachi port, SNGPL will start supplying cylinders.

Meanwhile, according to the LPG Association of Office Bearers, 70 per cent of gas consumed in Pakistan was imported with domestic production accounting for only 30 per cent.

They stated that the international transportation of oil and gas had been disrupted, leading to an increase in LPG prices. Given the high demand for gas during the winter, prices are likely to rise further. Meanwhile, supply disruptions have also resulted in an LPG shortage.

They added that the government had banned the sale of gas at refilling points, and now only wholesale dealers were permitted to sell LPG.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi Restaurants Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association President Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry said food outlets were worst affected by disruption in the supply of gas and high prices of LPG.

“We are getting LPG cylinders on high prices as SNGPL has stopped the supply of cylinders and private companies are selling it at Rs600 per kg, but the district administration and Ogra have failed to take action against high prices of LPG,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026