Govt’s attempts to conceal LNG deal points to major corruption scam, Imran says

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PakistanToday
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday said that the there could be a major corruption scam underlying the multi-billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) deal as it has been kept under wraps.

The PTI chief took to Twitter to take a jab at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government on the issue.

He said, “No wonder govt has kept this LNG deal under wraps. Despite commitment from Prime Minister (PM) Abbasi, he has so far refused to reveal the deal’s details to Parliament and the public. This shows there could be a major corruption scam underlying this deal.”

 

 

The PTI chief said, “It is absolutely shameful how this govt’s policies have hurt our export industry. During my visit to the APTMA, information shared with me showed how our exports have performed worse than all other regional competitors.”

 

He went on to say that the export industry must be given a level playing field to compete against the regional competitors. “Reducing the energy costs for the export industry in line with regional prices is a key part of the textile policy we have announced.”

 

“Unfortunately, Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) govt has chosen to do reverse by increasing costs of energy inputs. The Qatar LNG deal is the most glaring example. Auditor General’s Report of LNG import says Pakistan signed contract at rates higher than market when competitive bidding would have allowed better deal,” he went on to say.

 

He said that to revitalise Pakistan’s export industry, the PTI will also stop PML-N’s “disastrous practice of holding back refunds of exporters just to make the fiscal deficit look artificially low.”

“We must also revitalise the cotton economy and improve the profitability of the cotton farmer. We must restore our competitive advantage of cotton which has been lost by years of neglect and anti farmer policies of the govt,” the PTI chairman concluded.

It is crucial to note that despite a period of more than two years, a NAB inquiry regarding the award of LNG contract and billion rupees payment to the Elengy Terminal Pvt Ltd (ETPL) is still in the doldrums. The contract was allegedly signed in the violation of rules, causing a huge loss to the national exchequer.

A copy of NAB inquiry report revealed that incumbent Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi—who was then a petroleum minister—former petroleum secretary Abid Saeed, Inter-State Gas Systems Pvt Ltd (ISGS) Managing Director Mobin Saulut, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited former MD Zuhair Ahmed Siddiqui, and Engro Pvt Ltd CEO Emranul Haq were involved in the awarding of the LNG contract.

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4 COMMENTS

  4. Yes. This must be done if Mr Abbassi wants any credibility. He has another blot and that relates to facilitating escape of a criminal named Ishaq Dar.

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