Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on Monday shot up by Rs 2 per kg, Rs 20 per 11.8 kg cylinder and Rs 78 per 45.4 kg cylinder in the local markets of Sindh and NWFP traders said. After a fresh increase, LPG is available at Rs 66 per kg, Rs 710-720 per 11.8-kg cylinder and Rs 2750 per 45.4-kg cylinder in the province. The increase is the first during the current fiscal year 2008-09 and became applicable on Monday. Similarly in NWFP, the LPG prices rose by Rs 2 per kg, Rs 20 per 11.8-kg cylinder and Rs 78 per 45.4-kg cylinder. Now it is being sold at Rs 69 per kg, Rs 715 per 11.8-kg cylinder and an all-time high level of Rs 2751 per 45.4-kg cylinder. Whereas in Punjab province, LPG prices recorded a rise of Rs 1 per kg, Rs 10 per 11.8 kg cylinder and Rs 39 per 45.4 kg cylinder. The gas is now available at Rs 67 per kg, Rs 690-700 per 11.8-kg cylinder and Rs 2694 per 45.4-kg cylinder. Abdul Hadi Khan, Chairman of LPG Distributors Association Pakistan held the marketing companies responsible for the increase in gas prices on the pretext of increase in freight rates and petroleum products. He said that some elements were taking undue advantage of a 300-400 ton LPG shortage in the market. He pointed out that LPG smuggling from Iran has also increased to 150 to 200 tons per day into Pakistan through Balochistan. The market rate of the smuggled gas is 15 percent lower than the locally produced one. Copyright Business Recorder, 2008