LNG terminal in Karachi by 2009: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved a project to set up a terminal for import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Karachi by 2009. Aziz approved the project after Sui Northern Gas and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited officials gave him a presentation at Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday reviewing the energy situation in Pakistan.The prime minister directed the gas companies to work out a scheme that would simplify bill payment methods. He also directed them to improve gas meters to address complaints about billing by consumers. Aziz reviewed the four options presently being considered by the government for import of gas: overland gas supply from Iran and Turkmenistan, undersea supply from Qatar, and LNG import. He said Pakistan needed to build gas storage facilities for periods of high demand. He said the government would spend a hundred billion rupees in the next five years to expand the gas transmission and distribution network. The prime minister was told that Rs 6 billion would be spent on providing gas to Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Karak, Bannu, Hungu, DI Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat districts in Punjab and NWFP over the next three years to the benefit of 1.6 million people. nni

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