Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Saturday that gas consumers across Pakistan would be catered fully to their needs till 2018 as the government was importing LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) as per country’s requirement.
Talking to media after having a meeting with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association here at APTMA House, he said that gas pipelines were being upgraded to ensure smooth supplies, and at present 450 mmcfd LNG was being added in the SNGPL system that increased gas availability by 43 percent.
He said that private sector was investing USD one billion in LNG storage terminals while government was funding Rs 120 billion to augment the current gas pipeline system that would ensure smooth supplies to all users.
The Federal Minister said that industries were being supplied 24/7 gas along with fertilizer sector, adding that efficient gas-fueled power plants were operating on RLNG.
There was fertilizer shortage in country last year but this year but today, fertilizer manufacturers were exploring global markets for their produces exports.
He said a separate pipeline costing Rs 200 billion was being laid by a Russian Company on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis. He said that all investments in gas sector were being funded outside the CPEC (China-Pak Economic Corridor).
He said it was the duty of the government to remove irritants faced by businessmen, asserting that sustained gas supply to industry was not a favor to the industry but was meant to ensure development in the country.
He said with industries running 24/7, the job opportunities would increase as would be the GDP growth.
He said that currently all available gas was being consumed by the industries however additional 800 mmcfd would be available in the system by mid next year after which supplies for new connections would be made.
Regarding Panama Leaks, he said that opposition was doing politics only as the Prime Minister was not implicated in the scam.
His family member, he added, had been named and the Prime Minister had asked the serving chief justice to investigate the matter.
