Pakistan, Nov. 4 -- Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has assured Pakistanis that every effort will be made to keep liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) flowing to their kitchens during meal times this winter, even if the government has to purchase expensive fuel to honour that commitment. At Tuesday's press conference, he also held out the prospect of further relief in petrol and diesel prices. These are welcome assurances at a time when households are already counting every rupee. Yet, the real test lies in whether Islamabad can keep its promises without sending an already strained energy sector deeper into the red.

Pakistan's annual LPG requirement stands at approximately 2.4 million tonnes, or 6,500 to 7,000 tonnes daily, against domesti...