Pakistan’s deepening LPG crisis drives up roti and chapati prices in Karachi, exposing widening economic distress, inflation pressures, and public unrest as citizens protest rising fuel costs, alleged market manipulation, and government inaction across Sindh province.
Pakistan’s worsening energy crisis has begun to directly affect daily survival, as surging prices of staple foods like roti and chapati in Karachi highlight the deepening economic distress faced by ordinary citizens. The sharp rise in costs, triggered largely by an ongoing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) crisis, has intensified inflationary pressures and sparked protests across the country.
Local reports indicate that tandoor owners in Karachi have increased the prices of bread items by Pakistani Rupees five, citing a steep rise in LPG costs. LPG has become a critical fuel source in urban Pakistan due to the persistent shortage of natural gas. As a result, small businesses such as bakeries and roadside tandoors have been forced to pass on the additional burden to consumers.
According to reports by The Express Tribune, the increase in LPG prices has significantly raised production costs. Tandoor owners argue that the price hike is unavoidable, given the dependency on LPG for cooking. One local vendor, Manzoor Hussain, stated that most tandoor operators in Karachi have switched to LPG due to unreliable gas supply, leaving them with no choice but to increase bread prices.
Currently, low-weight roti is being sold at PKR 25, heavier roti at PKR 30, and chapati at PKR 20 in several parts of the city. For millions of low-income families, these increases represent a serious blow, as bread remains a daily necessity and often the most affordable food option.
However, the crisis has taken a controversial turn. Sajid Khan, General Secretary of the LPG Association and owner of Karachi Gas, claimed that there is no actual shortage of LPG in Pakistan. Instead, he accused certain importers and market players of creating an artificial crisis to manipulate prices and profit through black marketing. His remarks have fueled public anger, as citizens report difficulty in accessing affordable fuel.
Khan further criticized the government’s inability to regulate the market, warning that unchecked manipulation could lead to even higher prices. He urged authorities to take strict action against those responsible for distorting supply chains and inflating costs.
The economic strain is not limited to food and fuel. Rising petroleum prices have compounded the crisis, pushing transportation and commodity costs even higher. According to Dawn, widespread protests erupted on April 5 across several cities in Sindh province, including Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Jacobabad.
Political parties and civil society groups have taken to the streets to voice their frustration. The Sindh United Party organized a demonstration outside a press club in Sukkur, where participants staged a hunger strike while wearing symbolic burial shrouds to highlight the severity of the economic crisis. Party leader Eidan Jagirani described the situation as an “inflation genie” that has made essential goods unaffordable for the working class.
Simultaneously, activists from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf held parallel protests, with senior leader Gohar Khan Khoso warning that agitation would intensify if immediate relief measures were not introduced. Protesters pointed out that petrol prices have surged to PKR 378 per litre, adding further strain to household budgets.
Other groups, including the Awami Tehreek, organized rallies and sit-ins, accusing the government of using international geopolitical tensions as a justification for increasing fuel prices. Leaders argued that such policies disproportionately affect the poor while offering little transparency.
Meanwhile, labor organizations such as the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan and the Home-Based Women Workers Federation have joined the protests, demanding the removal of petroleum levies and wage adjustments in line with inflation. Demonstrators carried placards calling for immediate government intervention to stabilize prices and ensure affordability of essential commodities.
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The ongoing LPG crisis, combined with rising fuel and food prices, underscores broader structural challenges within Pakistan’s economy. Analysts warn that without swift and decisive policy measures, the situation could worsen, leading to increased social unrest and further erosion of public trust.
For now, the rising cost of a simple roti serves as a stark symbol of a nation grappling with economic instability, where basic necessities are increasingly slipping out of reach for the average citizen.
