President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain has lauded the decision of the government to construct new LNG stations in a short span. He also lauded the decision of the ECC to approve construction of second LNG terminal which will reduce gas shortfall to 50 percent. The second LNG terminal is being built by a consortium which will provide gas to three under-construction LNG-based power plants in Punjab with combined capacity of 3600 megawatt, he said.
The operationalisation of second LNG terminal will change the situation in Punjab as it would trigger industrial and agricultural growth, improve productivity and provide jobs while enhancing revenue, he added. Mian Zahid Hussain said that presently there was only one LNG terminal providing 400 mmcfd fuel to gas companies while the next one would provide 600 mmcfd gas reducing shortfall by 50 percent.
He said the government was also establishing an LNG terminal at Gwadar under CPEC while another terminal would be completed with the cooperation of a Dubai-based company. The completion of all LNG terminals would make gas shortfall history, he said, adding the policymakers need to ensure purchase of cheapest gas so that masses and business community get energy on economical rates. He said the companies involved in LNG business had lauded the cooperation by concerned government agencies and all the credit of it goes to the Federal Government.