The LPG Action Committee has reported that approximately 50% of LPG shops in Karachi have shut down due to an intensified police crackdown. At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, Ali Haider, the committee’s head, expressed that ongoing harassment from law enforcement and administrative negligence have created an untenable business environment for shop owners.
According to Haider, Karachi is home to around 5,000 LPG shops, and unless police and administrative behavior changes, many more shopkeepers may be compelled to close their businesses and potentially strike. The LPG sector is a significant contributor to the government’s annual tax revenue, generating millions of rupees.
Haider called for an end to what he described as unjust police interference, emphasizing that the committee is willing to engage in constructive dialogue with the authorities. He urged for the immediate reopening of shops that comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and requested a 15-day grace period for the remaining establishments to meet these regulations. He added that appropriate action should be taken against those who do not adhere to the SOPs.
The committee head also highlighted issues with the police harassing vehicles transporting LPG, which has disrupted the supply chain and caused unnecessary stress for drivers. He pointed out that due to administrative inaction, thousands of substandard cylinders continue to be sold in Karachi and surrounding areas, arriving unchecked from Gujranwala and Lahore. Instead of addressing the dangers posed by these unsafe products, the government is focusing on regulating LPG sales and distribution.
Haider concluded by noting that citizens are already grappling with a shortage of Sui gas, and the administration has yet to provide a viable alternative.
