Govt mulls construction of large-scale LNG terminal, pipeline network at Gwadar port

• Forty percent of gas in China is supplied through pipelines, Pak-China Relations Steering Committee told. 
• Meeting discusses issues being faced by investors of CPEC projects. 
• Meeting informed of prospective investments in LNG at Gwadar. 

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Plannning, Development and Special Initiatives mulled over a plan to build a large-scale LNG terminal with a network of pipelines at the Gwadar port along with a truckload facility, as per a report in The News. 

The meeting of the Pak-China Relations Steering Committee, chaired by federal minister Asad Umar, also discussed the possibility of investment by the private sector under such an initiative. 

Participants of the meeting were told 40% of the gas transported throughout China was through pipelines. The meeting discussed the issues being faced by investors in CPEC projects in detail, as per the report. 

While discussing the CPEC energy projects facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee directed the Power Division to formulate a policy to deal with COD extension issues of power projects. 

The Power Division was also directed to ensure the availability of sufficient power for operationalisation of the 660 KV HVDC Matari-Lahore Transmission Line from 1st September, 2021. The committee also directed NEPRA to finalise the tariff for the project during the testing stage.

The meeting also discussed the 884 MW Suki Kinari project and gave directions to relevant authorities to settle the project’s operational issues on priority. The chair also directed the Ministry of Communication to expedite work on the Thakot-Raikot Road and Zhob-Quetta Road project and submit proposals in this regard to the cabinet by next week to move the projects to the next level of development.

The committee was told about how local and foreign investors, with each passing day, were becoming more and more interested in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone. It was pointed out that any delay in the finalisation of the developer would be detrimental to the project.

The minister said that he would take up this issue with CM Sindh. At the Allama Iqbal Industrial City, a representative from the Board of Investment informed the committee that the board member list for FIEDMC has been finalized and will soon be notified.

Utilities to the Gwadar Port and Free Zone also came under discussion. The meeting was informed of prospective investments in LNG at Gwadar. The chair directed the Ministry of Petroleum to help facilitate investors and coordinate with the relevant ministry, including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, to resolve the investors’ issues on priority.