ISLAMABAD: Experts at a third International Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Expo Conference-2009 held underlined the need for adopting more prudent policies to strengthen this sector of cheaper energy.
The Conference titled “Pakistan’s LPG Sector and Energy Discipline” was jointly organized by LPG Association of Pakistan (LPGAP) and Energy Update at a local hotel.
They focused on the issues related to its pricing, regulation and safety standards besides discussing the growth potential of LPG industry. They were of the view that the industry has sufficient potential to bridge the growing energy gap in the country and policy makers must play their due role for the purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman LPG Association of Pakistan, Iqbal Z Ahmad said that 95 percent LPG requirements were met from local production. Before taking any decision regarding import of the commodity, interest of the majority of consumers should be kept in mind. Iqbal Z. Ahmad said the government was considering to increase LPG imports from 50,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes. He suggested that 5% imported LPG prices should not disturb. The government had removed all sort of taxes on imported LPG and the benefits should be pass on to general consumers, he suggested. He denied any cartelization among the LPG companies and said it was impossible among 70 companies.
Director Associated Group Fasih Ahmed speaking on the occasion said that the LPG prices had observed 66 percent decline in 2008 due to perfect competition in the industry. He claimed that about 70 percent of LPG went to auto gas illegally and termed it very dangerous.
Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources Mahmood Saleem Mahmood, who was chief guest on the occasion, while addressing the conference assured the participants that the government was committed to resolve their problems. He said LPG being a cheaper fuel is mostly used by poor segment of the society, adding, provision of this environment friendly fuel would be ensured to end-consumers at a controlled price. The Secretary said gap between demand and supply widens during peak winter season from November to March.
He expressed concern over receiving complains with regard to hoarding and black-marketing of this essential commodity during that period, urging the importers, producers and marketing companies and distributors for ensuring un-interrupted supply in far-flung areas during the peak season. Mahmood Saleem Mahmood assured the participants that there would be complete transparency in process of awarding licenses related to this sector, keeping the national interest supreme.
CEO OGDCL Zahid Hussain, MD Enercon Faridullah Khan, Aamir Hussain, Belal Jabbar, Owais Mir, CEO Publicity Channel Naeem Qureshi, CEO Akber Associates Jamal Ansari and Manager Corporate Communication Progas M. Ali Malik also spoke on the occasion and gave suggestions to officials present in the conference to further streamline matters pertaining to LPG and promotion of this sector.
Later, the participants visited the stalls set up by national and multinational companies to showcase their products related to the LPG industry.
