Dr Asim Hussain, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, has said that LNG import and LPG Air mix projects need to be urgently completed to minimise the gap between gas supply and demand.

He said this while chairing a meeting of ECC Committee on LNG import project here in Islamabad on Tuesday that was also attended by Secretary Petroleum, MD SSGCL, MD SNGPL, MD PSO, Member Energy Planning Commission of Pakistan, senior officers of Finance Division and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.

He however, emphasized that the process should be completely transparent and as per PPRA Rules. SSGCL briefed the participants regarding the bidding process of LNG import and informed that PGPL, ETPL and GEI submitted bids and the same were opened on 9th January, 2013 which was the opening date as per advertisement. It was informed that PGPL bid reached the SSGC after the cut-off time, while the bid security submitted by GEI was less than the required amount. After detailed discussions on this situation, it was decided that this issue would be taken up with ECC for advice on way forward, in order to ensure transparency and merit.

Dr Asim Hussain reiterated that the LNG import project would be completely transparent and PPRA rules would be followed in letter and spirit. He further said that the two projects - LNG import and LPG Air mix – are urgently required to be completed so that additional gas is injected into the system.