Rawalpindi : Taking full advantage of shortage of gas and winter season, the retailers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), firewood, kerosene oil and coal are selling the commodities on skyrocketing prices.
They are selling 1-kilogram LPG at Rs170 to Rs180 in retail shops while woodcutters are selling 40-kilogrram dry woods at Rs800 against Rs600 in this regard. Similarly, 1-liter kerosene oil is being sold at Rs150 and 1-kilogtram coal is sold at Rs90.
City District Government (CDG), Rawalpindi Spokesman Shahid Shah told ‘The News’ that they have registered 16 FIRs against LPG dealers for selling the commodity on higher prices. “Special teams are also raiding shops where kerosene oil is being sold,” he said. He also admitted that shopkeepers are selling kerosene oil on double rates.
All Pakistan Muthidda Naanbhai Welfare Association (APMNWA) President Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi said in absence of gas, we are using expensive LPG for over a month. “Majority of ‘tandoors’ are using LPG and some are using firewood which is unaffordable, he said adding we appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve gas issue because we are living without gas in this freezing temperature.
The LPG dealers said that we are buying LPG on higher prices therefore they have no other option but to sell it on higher rates. They also said that majority of LPG plants refused to provide them gas trying to create an artificial shortage.