ISLAMABAD - Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said that first consignment of imported LNG would reach Pakistan by December or January next year.
Addressing a press conference minister admitted that so far price of imported gas has not been finalised with any country. Briefing about granting permission to CMNG sector to import CNG, he said in first phase 200 mmcfd LNG would be imported by the private sector, which would be later increased to 500 mmcfd, later. He said imported LNG would be available 30-35 percent cheaper than petrol. Abbasi said that government would review tax structure to make CNG prices down, however CNG owners would determine the prices. Presently CNG is available at less than half of the price of petrol (as it is sold in KG), however Minister insisted that with imported CNG foreign exchange would be saved and the gas would be available throughout the year. He said with continuous operations one million new jobs would be created at the CNG stations. Abbasi said that a meeting on Iran Pakistan gas pipeline would be held this month.