The National Assembly (NA) was informed Wednesday that LNG import is likely to start by the end of this year to help address the issue of gas shortage.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the House during question hour that work on the country’s first LNG terminal has been started and will be completed by December this year. He said the flow of LNG to the country will also help address the issue of power crisis.
The minister assured that the LNG will be imported through a transparent process and at competitive price and a bidding process has already been started for the purpose.
On Pakistan-Iran Gas pipeline project, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said expert groups of both the countries are meeting later this month to workout workable implementation plan of this project. He said the government is also working on alternative schemes to get gas from Iran, which includes establishment of an LNG terminal at Gwadar, which will be connected with the Iranian border for import of gas.
On Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline Project Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said operating agreement has already been signed by the concerned countries. He said progress on this project is expected in November this year after a meeting of the Asian Development Bank, the main financer of the project.
Regarding ban on gas connections to new housing colonies, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources said the ban was imposed in 2011 due to anticipated gas shortage. He said we have now moved a summary to get approval for giving new connections.