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IP gas pipeline project delayed | The Nation
ISLAMABAD Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry came up with disappointing news for the gas-starved country on Tuesday, saying that Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, which was expected to be completed by June of this year, has been delayed by well over two years.
He informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources that supply of gas from Iran through Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline would start by December 2014.
Meeting of the National Assemblys Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources was held here under the chair of Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai to review the hike in petroleum prices.
To add to the agony and hardships of the people, the government has decided to slap 10 per cent levy in the name of gas infrastructure development surcharge on CNG and direction in this regard has already been given to OGRA.
Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry briefed the meeting that it has been decided to impose 10 percent gas infrastructure development surcharge. He said that the step has been taken to overcome power crisis and it is policy to maintain a difference of 45 percent between petrol and CNG prices. Ijaz further stated that transporters are being charging fares according to diesel prices not with accordance to CNG prices.
In a shocking disclosure to the NA body, Ijaz Chaudhry straightforwardly committed that if the current situation did not change in the country then gas crisis will prolong to the next year. The import of LNG is not possible during current year, which was though scheduled to commence in the month of May and June. However, as no one was ready to import the LNG at the cost of $18/mmbtu to the country so the import of the commodity to the country will take another long year.
As a long term step to overcome the gas shortage, talks are underway to conclude the agreement for getting gas from Turkmenistan under the project of Turkmenistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and supply of gas would start by 2016, the Secretary further added.
While discussing gas loadshedding in the country particularly in Punjab and Federal Area, the Committee was informed that current gas production in the country is over 4 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) whereas the demand is over 6 BCFD.
The present gap is going to increase to around 3,038 MMCFD by 2015. The Committee expressed its grave concern over the increasing energy crisis and directed the Ministry to come with solid proposals in the next meeting so that the Committee could contribute to save the country from the energy crisis, not only for the short-term basis but also long term.
Chairman NA panel Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai said he has been irritated with the briefings of the authorities concerned as masses are found out of patience due to persistent gas crisis so Petroleum Ministry must give concrete solutions.
During the course of meeting, Barjees Tahir categorically voiced against the violation of agreement done earlier with industrial sector pertaining the gas distribution during winter peak season. He said, If gas was not available then why new gas connection was given?
ISLAMABAD Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry came up with disappointing news for the gas-starved country on Tuesday, saying that Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, which was expected to be completed by June of this year, has been delayed by well over two years.
He informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources that supply of gas from Iran through Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline would start by December 2014.
Meeting of the National Assemblys Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources was held here under the chair of Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai to review the hike in petroleum prices.
To add to the agony and hardships of the people, the government has decided to slap 10 per cent levy in the name of gas infrastructure development surcharge on CNG and direction in this regard has already been given to OGRA.
Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry briefed the meeting that it has been decided to impose 10 percent gas infrastructure development surcharge. He said that the step has been taken to overcome power crisis and it is policy to maintain a difference of 45 percent between petrol and CNG prices. Ijaz further stated that transporters are being charging fares according to diesel prices not with accordance to CNG prices.
In a shocking disclosure to the NA body, Ijaz Chaudhry straightforwardly committed that if the current situation did not change in the country then gas crisis will prolong to the next year. The import of LNG is not possible during current year, which was though scheduled to commence in the month of May and June. However, as no one was ready to import the LNG at the cost of $18/mmbtu to the country so the import of the commodity to the country will take another long year.
As a long term step to overcome the gas shortage, talks are underway to conclude the agreement for getting gas from Turkmenistan under the project of Turkmenistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and supply of gas would start by 2016, the Secretary further added.
While discussing gas loadshedding in the country particularly in Punjab and Federal Area, the Committee was informed that current gas production in the country is over 4 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) whereas the demand is over 6 BCFD.
The present gap is going to increase to around 3,038 MMCFD by 2015. The Committee expressed its grave concern over the increasing energy crisis and directed the Ministry to come with solid proposals in the next meeting so that the Committee could contribute to save the country from the energy crisis, not only for the short-term basis but also long term.
Chairman NA panel Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai said he has been irritated with the briefings of the authorities concerned as masses are found out of patience due to persistent gas crisis so Petroleum Ministry must give concrete solutions.
During the course of meeting, Barjees Tahir categorically voiced against the violation of agreement done earlier with industrial sector pertaining the gas distribution during winter peak season. He said, If gas was not available then why new gas connection was given?
