Pakistan LPG prices surge following Iran border closures

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices in Pakistan have experienced a sharp increase following the closure of the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan border crossings between Pakistan and Iran. The disruption has significantly impacted energy supplies, as Pakistan relies on Iran for a substantial portion of its LPG requirements.

In Balochistan, the price of a 12-kilogram cylinder has risen from approximately 4,500 rupees to 7,000 rupees, representing a surge of about 56 percent. In other regions, such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, market rates have reached as high as 750 rupees per kilogram, far exceeding the official benchmark set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

The closures were attributed to security concerns and anti-smuggling measures by the Balochistan provincial government, while Iranian officials cited technical issues. Although some commercial activity has resumed at the Rimdan-Gabd crossing, supply levels have not yet stabilized. The shortage has also caused logistical delays for hundreds of trucks and containers carrying various goods, including agricultural products, at the border.