Work on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project in progress: Secretary
Petroleum

      ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (APP): Federal Secretary of Petroleum and
Natural Resources Ejaz Chaudhary said on Tuesday that all
important steps are being taken to meet the growing demand of the
energy sector and for this, Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline projects
would help improve the situation in the country.
     He said that Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is
taking concrete steps for bringing improvement in the energy
sector and in this connection, all available resources are being
utilized to achieve the objectives.
      Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV), he said that compressed
natural gas (CNG) stations would be opened tomorrow. 
     He said that all the matters with the CNG Associations
have been discussed and successfully handled. 
     He said that genuine issues of the CNG Association have been
resolved.  "We have maintained domestic pressure,
rectified price distortion and mismanagement problems."
     Ejaz Chaudhary said that Petroleum Ministry is taking all
the decision in the larger interest of the people.
     Replying to a question, he said that use of excessive and
low quality cylinders in the public transport, must be avoided at
all costs.
     He said, "We will not make any compromise on the security
and safety of the general public travelling through buses using
low quality cylinders."  
      He said that action is being taken against the gas pilferers
and installation of substandard gas kits.
      The Secretary Petroleum said that due to growing population,
there would be a great need of energy to meet the demand of the
consumers in near future.
      He said that there is a gap in the demand and supply
sector. He urged the authorities concerned to take action against
the persons who are responsible for the crisis.      
     The Secretary Natural Resources admitted that there is line
losses problems. He, however said, "We are giving priority to
supply gas to domestic consumers and productive industry."
     He said that CNG stations would also have the gas facility
according to the policy. 
      Replying to a question, he said that work on promoting
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and LNG is in progress and added
that all important steps are being taken in this regard.
     Replying to another question regarding transporters and CNG
stations strike, he said that all their genuine issues have been
resolved and there is no logic to take forward this strike.