LPG association calls off November 16 strike after Sindh governor's assurance
An LPG traders' association has withdrawn its planned strike for November 16 after talks with Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi in Karachi. The governor assured the delegation that its concerns would be taken to the relevant ministry.
- The LPG association called off its November 16 strike after meeting Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi.
- The association had announced the strike because it was not consulted on LPG policy.
- The governor said Pakistan imports 70 percent of its LPG.
The LPG marketers' association has called off the strike it had planned for November 16. The decision came after talks with Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi at the Governor's House in Karachi on Monday, November 9.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, a delegation of the Pakistan LPG Marketers Association, led by Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, met the governor to discuss LPG supply and related policy matters in the context of the Middle East situation and energy challenges. Minister of State Kheal Das Kohistani and MNA Shahbaz Babar also attended.
APP reported that the association had announced the strike because it was not consulted on the LPG policy. Senior Vice President Ali Haider said all stakeholders should be consulted on the policy.
The governor stressed that an uninterrupted LPG supply was essential at a time of energy challenges. He assured the delegation that its concerns would be conveyed to the relevant ministry and that necessary coordination would be facilitated. After this assurance the association announced the postponement of the strike.
24 News reported that association president Ali Haider said the governor assured them all their demands would be met if the strike was withdrawn. He said the call was withdrawn to spare the public from a deepening crisis.
Ali Haider also said all regions were badly affected by the Gulf war, and that its effects were spreading to the energy and agriculture sectors. Governor Hashmi said Pakistan imports 70 percent of its LPG.
Express News reported that the announcement was made at a press conference at the Governor House. It said the association asked the governor to act as a bridge between the LPG sector and the federal government, and that he promised to try to resolve the issue with the federal government.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Households that rely on LPG cylinders would have been exposed to supply disruption if the strike had gone ahead on November 16. The governor said Pakistan imports 70 percent of its LPG, so supply is sensitive to regional events. The association's demand to be consulted on LPG policy now goes to the relevant federal ministry through the governor.
