Work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline project underway: Dr Asim

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain said on Tuesday that construction work on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was underway and task would be completed by the end of 2014.

"Iran has completed its work on laying pipeline while Pakistan would resume its work within the period of five to six months," Dr.Asim stated this while talking to a private news channel.

He said that survey on Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was launched and it is expected to complete the whole task by the end of 2014.

The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 billion and talks with different companies for laying the pipeline on Pakistani side are in progress, he said.

The Minister said that feasibility report was being prepared and after this process tenders would be invited for choosing the best companies so that the project could be completed in a proper manner, he added.

"Our dependence on Pak-Iran pipeline was very high and there is no other substitute at present to meet the growing demand of the energy," he said.

The steps have been taken to import LNG and some 17 companies are showing interest to provide gas to Pakistan for meeting its energy demand, he said.

Dr.Asim revealed that steps are being taken to import LPG from different multi-national companies.

"We are trying to bring gas facility for people before winter," he said.

He, however, said that import of gas would be expensive for the users.

The Minister expressed the hope that 200 MMCF would be included in the system by the end of this year.

Increasing demand of CNG was the reason of load shedding in the gas sector, the petroleum minister said.

The Minister was of the view that gas should be supplied properly to the industrial sector for improving economy of the country.

He expressed hope that shortage of gas would be improved by the start of next year. In order to avoid shortage of petrol in future, four more storage units have been made, he said.

He urged the people to avoid creating chaos at the time of crisis.

Dr.Asim also urged the masses to maintain peace and cooperate with the government to run the system smoothly.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011