Write Research Team | Verified By Tahir Subhani | Last Updated: March 28, 2026
Due to tensions in the Middle East, LPG prices in Pakistan are continuously increasing, along with petrol and diesel. For households without piped natural gas, especially in smaller cities, rural areas, and new housing schemes, LPG is not a luxury. It is the only way to cook meals, heat homes, and keep businesses running. In March 2026, as regional tensions and global energy markets create unprecedented volatility, understanding LPG prices has never been more critical.
Today, I will guide you through everything you need to know: official rates, market realities, cylinder pricing by size, historical trends, and practical buying tips. All data is verified against OGRA notifications and official government sources.
According to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), effective March 1, 2026, LPG prices have been marginally reduced following three consecutive monthly increases.
Category | February 2026 | March 2026 | Change |
Per Kilogram | Rs 226.05 | Rs 225.83 | ▼ -Rs 0.21 |
11.8 kg Domestic Cylinder | Rs 2,667.40 | Rs 2,664.88 | ▼ -Rs 2.52 |
45.4 kg Commercial Cylinder | Rs 10,262 | Rs 10,252 | ▼ -Rs 9.53 |
Per Metric Ton | Rs 226,050.87 | Rs 225,836.99 | ▼ -Rs 213.88 |
Why The Reduction?
OGRA stated that LPG producer prices are linked to two key factors :
Market Reality (March 2026) | Price Range |
Per Kilogram | Rs 320 – 460 |
11.8 kg Domestic Cylinder | Rs 3,776 – 5,428 |
Karachi Market Price | Rs 350 – 380 per kg |
Gujranwala Market Price | Rs 420 – 460 per kg |
Islamabad Market Price | Over Rs 300 per kg |
OGRA’s Advice: Consumers should ensure LPG is being sold at officially notified rates. In case of overcharging or price manipulation, consumers may report the matter to the local district administration for immediate action. But I think prices can’t be maintained across the market; everyone wants to stabilize their own prices, and the government makes policies and laws to maintain them, but I don’t think it works at all. It’s a harsh reality; we don’t deny it.
The March 2026 reduction comes after three consecutive monthly increases that significantly burdened consumers :
Month | Increase (Rs/kg) | Percentage | 11.8 kg Cylinder Increase |
December 2025 | +Rs 7.39 | +3.66% | +Rs 87 |
January 2026 | +Rs 10.69 | +5.11% | +Rs 126 |
February 2026 | +Rs 6.37 | +2.9% | +Rs 75 |
Three-Month Total | +Rs 24.45/kg | +12.3% | +Rs 288 |
Sources: OGRA notifications, The Nation, Daily Pakistan, The News
I think the February 2026 increase was driven by a 3.83 percent increase in Saudi Aramco’s Contract Price (CP), partially offset by a marginal 0.14 percent decline in the dollar exchange rate.
Let’s understand that the pricing mechanism helps consumers know what they’re paying for. According to OGRA’s official explanation :
LPG producer prices are linked to:
Component | Amount (Rs/MT) | Notes |
Producer Price | 184,536.99 | Based on the Saudi CP + exchange rate |
Excise Duty | 85 | Fixed |
Petroleum Levy | 4,669 | Fixed |
Subtotal | 189,291.60 | Before GST |
GST @ 18% | 26,552.94 | Applied to the producer price |
Marketing & Distribution Margins | 35,000 | Includes marketing, distribution, and transport |
GST on Margins @ 18% | 6,300 | Applied to margins |
Final Consumer Price | 225,836.99 | Rs 225.83 per kg |
Source: OGRA notification breakdown
What This Means for You in simple words:
Cylinder Size | Official Price (March 2026) | Market Price (Estimate) | Primary Use |
11.8 kg (Domestic) | Rs 2,664.88 | Rs 3,776 – 5,428 | Cooking |
45.4 kg (Commercial) | Rs 10,252 | Rs 14,500 – 20,800 | Restaurants |
12 kg | Rs 2,710 (approx) | Rs 3,840 – 5,520 | Alternative size |
14 kg | Rs 3,162 (approx) | Rs 4,480 – 6,440 | Larger households |
15 kg | Rs 3,387 (approx) | Rs 4,800 – 6,900 | Small business |
1 kg (refill) | Rs 226 | Rs 320 – 460 | Camping use |
Note: Non-standard sizes are priced pro rata based on per-kg rates. Market prices vary by location.
Now we should compare LPG to alternative cooking and vehicle fuels in Pakistan. Based on March 2026 rates:
Fuel | Unit | Price | Energy per Unit | Cost per Cooking Hour* |
LPG (Official) | kg | Rs 226 | 12.8 kWh | ~Rs 53 |
LPG (Market) | kg | Rs 350 | 12.8 kWh | ~Rs 82 |
Natural Gas | MMBTU | Rs 1,500-3,000 | 293 kWh | ~Rs 15-30 |
Kerosene | litre | Rs 428 | 10.5 kWh | ~Rs 122 |
Electricity | unit | Rs 25-40 | 1 kWh | Rs 25-40 (depends on slab) |
Note: Based on the average burner consumption of 0.2-0.3 kg per hour for LPG
Fuel | Price | Average Efficiency | Cost per km |
LPG (Converted Car) | Rs 225-350/kg | 8-12 km/kg | Rs 19-44 |
Petrol | Rs 321/litre | 12-15 km/litre | Rs 21-27 |
Diesel | Rs 336/litre | 15-18 km/litre | Rs 19-22 |
Now, the key Insight is that even at market rates, LPG remains competitive with petrol and diesel for vehicle use, though official rates make it far more attractive.
Some people think that an LPG gas stove in Pakistan is also an option for them. I want to share the market rate of stoves.
Type | Features | Price Range (Rs) |
Single Burner Portable | Basic, for camping or small kitchens | 1,500 – 3,500 |
Two Burner Standard | Most common for home use | 5,000 – 12,000 |
Two Burner with Glass Top | Modern design, easy cleaning | 10,000 – 25,000 |
Three Burner | Larger families, heavy cooking | 15,000 – 35,000 |
Built-in Hob | Kitchen counter installation | 12,000 – 40,000 |
Commercial/ Restaurant | Heavy-duty, multiple burners | 30,000 – 150,000+ |
Popular Brands for gas stoves in Pakistan: Dawlance, PEL, Orient, Hamilton, Waves, and imported Chinese brands.
My tip for Energy Efficiency is: Look for stoves with automatic ignition and flame-failure protection (thermocouple safety) for both efficiency and safety.
Pakistan imports LPG from the GCC, but according to my research, Pakistan produces approximately 800,000 to 876,000 metric tons (MT) of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) locally per year. This local production covers roughly 50% to 60% of the country’s total demand, with the remainder filled through imports. LPG is distributed through OGRA-approved marketing companies. Fongas (Fauji Foundation) operates filling plants across Pakistan :
Region | Districts/Cities with Filling Plants |
Punjab | Attock, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Kharian, Kasur, Lahore, Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Faisalabad, Jhang, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Kohat, Peshawar, Swat, Dera Ismail Khan |
Sindh | Hyderabad |
Azad Kashmir | Mirpur |
Four Buying Tips According to my personal experience :
According to my research, as of late March 2026, LPG market prices continue to rise despite OGRA’s official notification showing a slight decrease. In Gujranwala, LPG is being sold at Rs 420 to Rs 460 per kilogram, while in Karachi, prices have climbed from Rs 350 to Rs 380 per kilogram.
Ali Haider, convener of the LPG committee, stated that the price hike is driven not only by shopkeepers but also by marketing companies and distributors, and that the Rs 130-per-kg increase is not solely attributable to retailers.
The reality is that a critical factor is the delay in the supply of 3.5 million kg of LPG from Port Qasim, which is not under OGRA’s direct jurisdiction. These delays, combined with regional tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, are keeping prices elevated. Some news is circulating in the market that the Strait of Hormuz will be open within a few days, but this is war; no one knows what will happen until the war ends.
This is war in the Middle East; no one predicts 100 percent right, as I said before, but some future possibilities I want to share with you
Scenario | Likelihood | Impact on LPG Prices |
Supply chain normalizes | Medium | Gradual decrease toward official rates |
Regional tensions escalate | Medium-High | Further price increases |
The government intervenes in imports | Low-Medium | Potential stabilization |
Rupee strengthens against dollar | Unpredictable | Marginal relief possible |
Expert Take: Until supply chains stabilize and Port Qasim delays are resolved, the gap between official and market prices is likely to persist. Consumers should anticipate continued volatility in the coming months.
LPG remains the primary cooking fuel for millions of Pakistanis, especially in areas without piped natural gas. While official OGRA-notified rates for March 2026 show a marginal decrease to Rs 225.83 per kg, market realities tell a different story, with consumers paying Rs 320-460 per kg in many cities.
The gap between official and market prices reflects deeper issues: supply chain disruptions, import delays, and distribution challenges that OGRA alone cannot resolve. For consumers, the path forward requires vigilance, knowing the official rates, reporting overcharging, and exploring alternatives such as composite cylinders or fuel-efficient stoves.
Sources:
The official OGRA-notified price is Rs 225.83 per kg, effective from March 1, 2026. This represents a marginal decrease of Re 0.21 from February 2026.
Official price is Rs 2,664.88 per cylinder. However, market prices range from Rs 3,776 to Rs 5,428 depending on the city and supply conditions.
Market prices exceed official rates due to supply chain disruptions, delays in LPG imports from Port Qasim, higher transport costs, and profiteering by distributors and retailers.
OGRA advises consumers to report overcharging to the local district administration for immediate action. OGRA itself does not enforce retail prices.
A 45.4 kg cylinder typically lasts:
For homes, 11.8 kg steel cylinders are standard and widely available. Composite cylinders are lighter (5.4 kg vs 14-16 kg for steel), rust-proof, and have a longer lifespan (20-30 years), though they are more expensive (Rs 25,000-60,000 vs Rs 8,000-15,000 for steel).
LPG saw three consecutive increases: +3.66% in December 2025, +5.11% in January 2026, and +2.9% in February 2026, totaling a Rs 24.45 per kg increase over three months.
The official price for March 2026 is Rs 10,252. Market prices are significantly higher, typically ranging from Rs 14,500 to Rs 20,800.
Yes. At official rates, LPG (Rs 225.83/kg) costs significantly less than petrol (Rs 321/litre). Even at market rates (Rs 320-350/kg), LPG remains competitive with petrol for converted vehicles.
Visit OGRA’s official website (www.ogra.org.pk) for official notifications. For simplified updates, bookmark Petrol Price Pakistan for monthly price guides.