LPGAP demands action against mafia*

Lahore (Pakistan Point News / Online - 28th May, 2019) LPG Association of Pakistan (LPGAP) has expressed graveconcern on unchecked import of LPG into Pakistan through Land & Sea routesand urged the Government to take action against importers mafia out tocripple Pakistan's economy as well as local LPG Industry.

**While addressing an urgent meeting, Chairman LPGAP Farooq Iftikhar saidthat government would have to take prompt action against both excessiveimport of LPG and smuggling of other petrochemicals products like petrol,Diesel, Truck Tyres etc.

through land route of Taftan & Mand, as it is notonly hurting the local industry very hard, but is also causing substantialloss to the national exchequer.*Farooq Iftikhar said that locally produced LPG costs LPG MarketingCompanies around Rs.

100,000 per ton as local producers of LPG and marketingcompanies are paying 17% General Sales Tax besides Petroleum DevelopmentLevy of Rs. 4669/MT and also incur substantial operational expenses andadditional Sales Tax , while low quality off spec imported LPG is beingdelivered by importers mafia to LPG plants all over @ Rs.

83000/- per MT asthey are paying Nil Regulatory duty, and 10% sales tax only. He said thatstocks of local LPG producers and marketing companies are piling up as lowquality LPG is being sold at much less price as compared to locallyproduced product.

**Mr. Iftikhar, said that importers manipulate weight at customs as well,besides importing low quality and adulterated LPG which is not onlyaffecting sale of local good quality LPG, but is also creating severeenvironmental and health issues amongst the low income citizens of thecountry.

**He stated that Ministry of Petroleum & Ministry of Finance despite all ourefforts are not taking serious notice of this issue which is causingcontinuous financial loss to the national exchequer.

Iftikhar said thatcurbing import of low quality, spurious and adulterated LPG injurious tohuman health will also help in lessening LPG related accidents fromhappening as most of these accidents take place when LPG is transported inall types of substandard bowsers carrying more LPG than approved under thepolicy.*