Islamabad has not put the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on the back burner and the project will be completed by 2016, said Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain while responding to lawmakers’ questions in the Senate question hour on Wednesday.
The government is committed to the timely completion of the pipeline project to meet its energy requirements, the minister said. Various national and international lenders have shown their consent for financing the project and the country is on track to complete it within the stipulated time, he added. With the completion of the pipeline, the country will save $1 billion per year, taking total savings during the project’s 25-year contract period to $25 billion, the minister said.
Discrimination in appointments
On a query regarding discrimination in appointments made in Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), the minister said that 1,148 people have been appointed in the two companies since 2008.
In SSGC, 112 executives and 239 subordinates were appointed from all provinces while 163 executives and 935 subordinates were appointed from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Fata and the federal capital in SNGPL.
Hajj arrangements
The directorate general of Hajj in Jeddah has hired 47 buildings, with a cumulative capacity of 18,794 pilgrims, in the ‘white’ category, at a cost of 3,600 Saudi riyals per person, said Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah while responding to a question.
An additional 55 buildings are being hired, with a cumulative capacity of 30,522 pilgrims, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Riaz Haq: Apart from the fact that your url quotes a May 2008 article which is somewhat outdated, the more important point is that apart from hydroelectricity, Pakistan depends on oil and gas for generating electricity. India on the other hand depends on coals. Given that, comparing gas pipeline capacity in India to Pakistan is conparing to apples to oranges.
Further the 2008 article was written at a time when Pakistan did not experience significant gas shortages. It does now. When fiscal constraints do not allow you to pay for gas, it seems foolish to brag about that you have the ability carry gas?
@ Economy Stupid:
Do you know what India's Assocham says about gas pipeline network in Pakistan? Apparently not! India is way behind Pakistan in terms of its gas pipeline network, with the neighboring country’s network stretching around 56,400 km against its 10,500 km, connecting only 20 cities compared to Pakistan’s 1,050, industry body Assocham said.
Pakistan’s pipeline density, at present is 1044 km/mmscmd (million metric standard cubic meter per day) per day compared to 116 km/mmscmd of India, Assocham said in its paper on gas sector "A Comparison between India and Pakistan".
http://www.riazhaq.com/2009/12/pakistan-leads-south-asia-in-use-of.html
Developing Pakistan's known shale gas reserves of 51 trillion cubic feet (at $4-5 per mmBTU) should be the priority and IP pipeline belongs on the back-burner.
Pakistan's best interest is not in defying Saudis and Americans to buy expensive Iranian gas (at $11 per mmBTU) and end up with crippling sanctions which could be much worse than its current energy crisis. Its best interests will be served by developing its own cheap domestic shale gas on an accelerated schedule with Saudi investment and US tech know-how. If the Americans and the Saudis refuse to help, then Pakistan will have a stronger case to go with the Iran gas option.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/04/affordable-fuel-shortage-hurts-power.html
Pakistan’s priority is to send Fathaka 800 miles in the air and not building an 800 mile of hollow steel pipeline on the ground.
It is NEVER going to happen - the masters (US) will never ever let it happen. Period.
Doctor of What?!
Correction please --- IP gas pipline not EVEN on back burner.
First i heard it was about to complete in 2014
Hope You will stick to this 2016 dead line. Next Government will not bow in front of Americans.
Everything is in place except for the funds and pipeline will be ready by 2016(60) hopefully.
I can't stand this guy - Dr. Asim. Its a pity that an administrator of a hospital is looking after the petroleum ministry.