Govt urged to expedite work on IP gas pipeline

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has urged the government to expedite work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline to save the industry from a total closure and for revival of economic activities in the country.

The PIAF Chairman Sohail Lashari in a statement on Wednesday said that repeated warnings of the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company Limited (SNGPL) Managing Director about an acute shortage of gas in future is enough to make the point that the industry would in deep troubles in coming times therefore it is the duty of the government to take remedial measures.

He was of the view that the shortage of electricity and gas had already play havoc with the trade and industry while the numbers of the jobless are adding up with every passing day. He attributed the recent decline in exports and cut Foreign Direct Investment to the energy shortages and suggested to the government to avail alternate resources of energy generation. As per agreement, Pakistan is bound to buy gas from Iran by December 31, 2014 while it would have to pay penalty if it fails to do so therefore it would be wiser on the part of the government to expedite work on this mega project of national importance. He said that the business community was unable to understand that when the Iran has done its part of duty by spreading line up to Pakistan’s border what has stopped the government to initiate work on the pipeline, he added.

He said that if work on this project is initiated, it would not only give boost to the government image in the eyes of masses but would also ensure jobs to a large number of people as the pipeline would be passing through many remote areas where the unemployment graph is even higher when it is compared to the urban areas. He said that there are a number of hidden forces that are always active against the progress and prosperity and the government should foil their nefarious designs by starting work on Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline.

Lashari also urged the gas authorities to take stringent measure to overcome the gas pilferage as it would be doing a lot of help in ensuring regular supply of gas to the industry.