ISLAMABAD: Qatar has agreed to increase the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan by 200 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).
A Pakistani delegation comprising Petroleum Secretary and Task Force on Energy Chairman Nadeem Babar visited Qatar this month and placed demand for additional gas supply in an effort to meet growing gas needs of power plants in the upcoming summer season.
At present, Pakistan is importing 500 mmcfd of LNG from Qatar and has planned to step up imports to 700 mmcfd in a bid to run the second LNG terminal at Port Qasim at maximum capacity.
The anti-corruption watchdog had written a letter to Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, asking him to provide proof that the LNG deal had been inked at a higher price of 13.37% of Brent crude price. The minister later appeared before NAB and presented evidence.
A special audit has pointed to a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer following the LNG import agreement with Qatar.
The total capacity of the second LNG terminal is 750 mmcfd, but the government has allocated it a capacity of 600 mmcfd. Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has secured a dedicated supply of 200 mmcfd which is processed at the second terminal and the remaining 400 mmcfd is being imported through spot purchases.
