ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping on Thursday was informed that no price had been fixed for the imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with Qatar so far and it would be decided after signing of an agreement in this regard.
However, Secretary Ministry of Ports and Shipping gave good news to the members of the committee that agreement for the import of LNG would be signed very soon as well as LNG would be imported at the cheapest rates.
This observation have shed the impression generated due to exhaustive debates on media and TV channels about the corruption in fixation of LNG rate as number of analysts have been alleging the concerned minister for making money out higher LNG rates.
Presently anyone interested in importing LNG is authorized to import LNG for domestic or commercial use” he added while briefing the committee about latest scenario of LNG shipment at Port Qasim. However, he could not satisfy the members about the exact rate of imported LNG as well as date for the signature of agreement for the import of LNG.
But, he categorically cleared that no penalty had been paid either to Qatar or any company for non-provision of LNG terminal for unloading the LNG vessel or not making the LNG terminal operational.
The Secretary said that Singapore and Japan had become the biggest LNG importers in the world just because of cheaper energy source.
Giving a historical perspective of the LNG import issue to the committee he said that the Federal Capital had approved LNG Fast Track project which was commissioned in March 2015. This terminal was based on Floating LING terminal concept permanently moored FSRU. This FSRU has a storage capacity of 151,000 m3 and is designed to handle 3.00 million ton LNG annually.
He further informed that outstanding dues amounting Rs 531,796m174 in terms of pilotage, towage, berth charges etc are still pending with PSO.
JS Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources informed the committee that the LNG was more environment friendly and cheaper source of energy and it was used as supplement diesel, natural gas etc. Nine power houses have been converted to LNG and are running in a satisfactory condition.
Responding to a question, he further informed that the relief to end consumer would be provided through government as it was regulatory authority. On the question of NAB investigation in terms of LNG, he informed that during the investigation all the required information was provided to NAB and the NAB has shown its satisfaction in this regard.
