Expedited work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline

KARACHI – Work on Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline is quickly progressing and Nespak has signed an agreement with a German Company to place the pipeline. Approximately 1750 million cubic feet (mcf) of gas will be brought through this pipeline, said Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) Managing Director Dr Faizullah Abbasi, while speaking at a conference on “Challenges Faced by Industries in the country: Remedies and Future Prospects for Industrialisation,” organised by Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (BQATI) here on Wednesday.
Highlighting other future gas supply mega projects, the SSGC managing director said the company has re-tendered five mcf of LNG import project named “Mashal” at Port Qasim, likely to be completed by 2014. SSGC is also working on the offshore pipeline option, wherein LNG would be off-loaded from ships into buoys at offshore and then the gas would be put into a pipeline. The private sector would own and operate these two buoys and it would set up a gas terminal. The project is expected to be completed by 2013.
Patron-in-Chief of BQATI Mian Muhammad Ahmed said that his Association has been serving as a bridge between the business community and government functionaries. Last year, BQATI focused on the law and order situation and was able to get increased police patrolling on the National Highway, as security cameras were installed at key locations of Port Qasim. In addition, liaison with the rangers was made and the Association succeeded in getting a rangers check-post set up in Port Qasim area.
The Association has developed partnership with Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and has resolved many problems of the industrialists. It also pursued with the local authorities to have road repair work completed on National Highway and Port Qasim. BQATI also worked with PTCL in setting up of PTCL Customer Facilitation Centre and installation of fibre optic lines along with state-of-the-art telecom facilities.
PQA Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi stated that roads network and security system in the Port vicinity were being strengthened on modern lines.
Capital dredging would be completed soon and the draught would be increased to 14 feet. This would attract large ships and increase the port business. Port Qasim has already cut its port and other charges by more than 15 percent, while other steps would be announced to make the port further attractive. “Port Qasim would be the first choice of the shippers in the region,” he asserted. Westbury Group Director Abdul Rasheed Jan Muhammad spoke on the importance of development of ports for strong economy of the country. He said that standard and expanded infrastructure was needed at Port Qasim to attract more investors.
He called for promotion of genuine investors at the port to achieve real objectives. He also suggested that tourism facilities be developed, as a port is the best place for promoting tourism.