LPG traders withdraw planned Oct 15–16 nationwide strike

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) traders have called off their planned two-day nationwide strike scheduled for Thursday and Friday (October 15–16).

Selim Khan, president of the LPG Traders Cooperative Association, announced the decision on Wednesday following a high-level meeting at the Secretariat and the scheduling of a public hearing on LPG pricing for October 29.

Earlier, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir warned of stern legal action against traders if they proceeded with the planned nationwide suspension of LPG cylinder sales and distribution.

The warning came after the LPG distributors’ platform announced on Monday (October 12) a complete shutdown of LPG outlets across the country on October 15 and 16 to press home several demands.

Their demands include an end to alleged administrative harassment, a review of operators’ commission rates and the release of thousands of unused gas cylinders into the domestic supply chain.

With the strike called off, traders are expected to raise their demands and pricing concerns at the public hearing scheduled for October 29.