ISLAMABAD: Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has categorically denied any external pressure on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline or the proposal to revoke the project.
During Question Hour in the senate on Tuesday, he said the project has been delayed due to international sanctions on Iran.

He said Iran has completed 900 kilometers gas pipeline from the South Pars gas field to Iranshehr. Work on remaining 250 kilometers pipeline is likely to start soon. He said Pakistan has completed phase-I of the project and work on the phase-II will be initiated after international sanctions are lifted on Iran.

To another question, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the import of LNG from Qatar will start by the end of this year.

He said the government intends to invite open tenders for procurement of LNG to maintain transparency.

The minister said Pakistan State Oil Company and Qatar Gas Operating Company have been nominated by respective governments to negotiate import of LNG from Qatar.

He said terms and conditions and the prices are yet to be discussed and finalized.

The Service Tribunals (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was laid in the House. The Bill provides to amend the Service Tribunals Act, 1973. The bill was moved by Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid. The Chair referred the bills to concerned committees of the House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that Benazir Bhutto Airport will be completed within two years.

Replying to a call attention notice moved by Saeed Ghani regarding construction of link road from Benazir Bhutto Airport to the twin cities with estimated cost of 15 billion rupees, he said the road is being constructed to avoid overloading on the Motorway and National Highway adjoining the locality.

The House will now meet today (Wednesday) at three in the afternoon.

By Pak Tribune

 

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