Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has told Associated Press Pakistan 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.
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 the talks with different companies for laying the pipeline on Pakistani side are in progress, Hussain said.
A feasibility report is curently being being prepared and after this process, tender bids will be invited.
Asked why the project has been approved, Hussain said “Our dependence on the existing Pak-Iran pipeline is very high and there is no other substitute at present to meet the growing demand of the energy“.
Steps have been taken for Pakistan to also import LNG and some 17 companies are showing keen interest to provide gas to Pakistan for meeting its energy demand,he said.
Hussain revealed that steps are being taken to import LPG from different multi-national companies. “We are trying to bring gas facility for the people before starting winter, “ he said.
Hussain 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.
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has urged the Pakistani government to bring the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on stream as soon as possible.
“The country is facing gas scarcity mainly because household consumption of gas has been increasing rapidly. To fulfill the current demand for gas, the government must execute Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project,” ICCI President Mahfooz Elahi said during a meeting with Sui Northern Gas General Manager Chaudhry Arshad on Wednesday, reports the Tehran Times.
