Jan 15 , 2016
News
LNG deal being done transparently, Shahid tells NA
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday informed the National Assembly that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) deal with Qatar was being done in a transparent manner and the international community had declared it Asia’s cheapest deal, which would help strengthen county’s economy.
Replying to a calling attention notice of Shireen Mazari, Asad Omar and others, he rejected the allegations levelled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members regarding corruption in LNG project.
The minister said the PTI was only getting political point scoring on this project of national importance, adding that to meet gas supply, the only way was to import LNG. He said the government was also working on Pak-Iran gas pipeline and Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
He rejected the PTI stance that power producers were not taking interest in LNG deal, adding that the project would save billions of dollars annually and would help overcome energy crisis.
Replying to a query regarding Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL)’s Managing Director (MD) removal, the minister said the MD was removed from his post due to his poor performance. Shahid Khaqan said if opposition has better suggestions regarding the project they would be considered, adding that positive criticism would be appreciated.
The secret documents regarding the said project were submitted in the Senate on the PTI’s desire, he said, adding the government was answerable to reply to the opposition queries regarding the project on any forum.
He informed the House that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had no objection over the said deal, adding that the ECC has also approved its price and it would be made public once the contract was signed.
He assured the House that LNG price would not be higher and 60 cargoes would be imported during the coming five years. He said the LNG deal would just meet 20 percent of country’s gas requirements.
However, the PTI members stood on their seats and started shouting slogans during the proceedings. Later, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq referred the LNG issue to the standing committee concerned on PTI’s demand.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday said terrorism was a common challenge and the entire nation was united to rid the country of this menace.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said attack on ARY bureau office in the federal capital was a sorrowful act and the entire leadership and political parties had condemned it.
The minister said investigation of the incident had been started and the perpetrators would be dealt with according to the law. He said operation against terrorists had been started in the entire country and the attackers of the incident would also not be spared.
The government had taken several steps to provide security to all media houses and for the purpose security guards of media houses were also being trained, he informed the parliamentarians. He said a panic button had been provided to the media houses to get timely help of police on such occasions.
Pervaiz said a meeting of media security committee had been called and directed for including recommendations of all media houses to avoid such incidents in future. Earlier, talking to the members of Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA), who boycotted proceedings of the House in protest against attack on the office of ARY news channel, the minister said that Pakistan and the whole world was facing the menace of militancy.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk