Pak govt to expeditiously pursue IP project: Report

Islamabad, Jan 19, IRNA -- Policymakers of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government say the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project would be pursued expeditiously in the context of regional cooperation in the energy sector. A report published in daily Express Tribune said the policymakers fear worst gas outages in the country in the coming years and anticipate that there will still be a gap of 3,263 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in 2022-23 despite gas pipeline projects. It said in order to bridge the gap policy makers recommend the IP gas pipeline project with a capacity of 750 MMCFD –could be constructed on fast track basis with 24 months. They also recommend vibrant petroleum policies to accelerate exploration and production (E&P) activities, construction of more LNG terminals and expeditious implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) project. The policy makers feel that phenomenal growth in demand for transport fuel and rising trend of the crude prices in the international market may pose a challenge to the PTI government. “To supplement the indigenous gas supply in addition to the LNG imports, natural gas import projects like TAPI and the IP would be pursued expeditiously in the context of regional cooperation in the energy sector,” the PTI policymakers say in 12th Five Year Plan (2018-23) while discussing energy scenario of Pakistan in the next five years. Earlier ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost talking to local media had urged Pakistan to take practical steps to complete much awaited IP gas pipeline project. He said that according to the agreement the IP gas pipeline was to be completed by December 2014 which would overcome energy problems of Pakistan in most feasible manner. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish