KARACHI: In a modest relief for Karachi’s residents grappling with ongoing gas load-shedding, the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been reduced by Rs10 per kilogram, bringing the new rate to Rs250 per kilogram.
The reduction comes amid mounting frustration over unannounced gas outages that have disrupted domestic and commercial life across the city. While the price cut has been welcomed, residents say it offers only limited comfort against the backdrop of chronic supply disruptions.
A local resident speaking to reporters said the daily struggle to cook meals and run household appliances due to gas shortages had forced many families to rely on LPG cylinders — an expensive and increasingly overburdened alternative. He stressed that while the Rs10 reduction is a step in the right direction, more substantial price relief is urgently needed.
“The real problem isn’t just the price of LPG — it’s the lack of piped gas. We are tired of these unpredictable load-shedding spells,” he said, calling on the government to prioritise restoring a regular gas supply.
Civic groups and residents have also urged the authorities to take lasting steps to improve Karachi’s energy infrastructure and reduce dependency on costly cylinder-based gas. They argue that rising LPG prices, driven by supply gaps and market instability, disproportionately affect lower- and middle-income households already struggling with inflation.
Calls have intensified for the federal and provincial governments to implement long-term policies aimed at energy security and equitable distribution. Critics also point to the lack of accountability and transparency in gas utility services, saying that poor management continues to exacerbate public hardship.
The reduction in LPG prices follows persistent pressure from consumer rights advocates and local political representatives who have demanded government intervention to cushion the impact of fuel shortages during peak usage seasons.
However, many residents remain sceptical, fearing that without comprehensive policy reforms, both gas shortages and volatile LPG pricing will continue to plague Karachi.
For now, the Rs10/kg relief may offer temporary respite — but citizens are making it clear that they expect much more than incremental fixes.
