According to media reports, more than 200 LPG tankers stranded at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing have been cleared, potentially adding around 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of gas to the domestic market.

Market participants expect the additional supply to ease shortages and bring down prices. However, the actual reduction will depend on market demand, supply conditions and how quickly the newly available LPG reaches consumers.

LPG Shipments Arrive at Port Qasim

The supply situation has also improved with the arrival of imported LPG cargo at Port Qasim. A ship carrying 4,520 metric tonnes of LPG has reportedly anchored at the port, while another vessel carrying 3,083 metric tonnes of cargo has departed.

The arrival of maritime shipments, combined with the clearance of tankers from Iran, is expected to improve LPG availability across the country.

Pakistan had faced a severe LPG shortage in recent days after supplies from Iran were disrupted, pushing prices to exceptionally high levels in several cities.

LPG Prices Surge Across Pakistan

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) set the official LPG price at Rs279 per kilogram for October. However, according to figures cited by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and LPG dealers, retail prices in different parts of the country ranged from Rs550 to Rs610 per kilogram during the shortage.

The price of a standard 11.67kg domestic LPG cylinder reportedly increased from around Rs4,500 to as much as Rs7,000.

According to the Pakistan LPG Association, a 12kg cylinder reached approximately Rs7,000 in Balochistan, Rs7,500 in Lahore and Rs8,200 in Skardu.

These figures highlight the gap between the official notified price and the prices reportedly charged in parts of the retail market during the supply disruption.

Pakistan-Iran Border Trade Resumes

Pakistan imports significant quantities of LPG from Iran, making the border route an important source of supply. According to the figures cited in the report, Pakistan imports around 7,000 metric tonnes of LPG daily from Iran, with more than 4,000 tonnes entering through the Gabd-Rimdan crossing.

The disruption in cross-border trade contributed to the shortage and also left more than 1,000 containers carrying Pakistani exports stranded. Exports of perishable food items were subsequently resumed.

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had discussed trade-related matters with Iranian leadership during a recent visit to Tehran. Border trade between the two countries has since returned to normal, according to the report.

Winter Demand Puts Pressure on LPG Supply

The restoration of LPG imports is particularly important ahead of winter, when demand for domestic gas can rise. Limited output from local refineries also makes imported supplies a significant factor in maintaining market availability.

LPG dealers expect the continued arrival of tankers from Iran and imported cargo ships to improve supply conditions in the coming days.

However, the anticipated reduction of up to Rs70 per kilogram has not been confirmed as an actual nationwide price decrease. Consumers may see relief as additional supplies enter the market, but the extent and timing of any price reduction will depend on the balance between demand and supply.