'Negotiations on to import natural gas'

Negotiations are being held to import natural gas either from Iran, Qatar or Turkmenistan to sustain high economic growth rates, Managing Director (MD) Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Company (SSGPL) Munawwar Baseer Ahmad said on Friday. "To sustain high economic growth rates of seven to eight percent, the import of gas from at least one source among the three available options was imperative," he told PTV. Replying to a question he said the current combined gas production of both SSGPL and SNGPL was enough for country's demands.
However, problems would emerge from 2010-11 when demands ratio would surpass the supply situation. Long term gas supply contract would be signed with the suitable country to protect consumers interests, he said.
Pakistan has comprehensive transmission and distribution system. After the success of ongoing negotiations, Sui Southern and Northern Gas Pipelines Companies would jointly execute the project.