960407

600,000 new

gas connections

in next 2 years

KARACHI: Gas companies in Pakistan will provide about six lakh new gas connections during the next two years under a comprehensive plan chalked out in accordance with the priorities set by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

This was revealed by Federal Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, Syed Naseer Ahmed, on Sunday while talking to newsmen.

During the two years, he said, 730 villages and towns would be provided gas and 12,000 miles long gas pipelines will be laid.

He pointed out that during the last two-and-a-half years the gas companies provided 5,00,000 new gas connections and supplied gas to 250 cities, towns and villages.

The priority of the present government, Secretary Petroleum said, is to provide the facility of gas to cities, towns and villages.

Under the new Petroleum policy, the Secretary Petroleum said, exploratory efforts were underway to find oil and gas reserves in an area of 58,530 kms. 46 new concessions for exploration of oil and gas have been granted, he said.

He said as a result of successful petroleum policy, about 25 new international companies were working in Pakistan. This has helped in bringing in an investment of dollars 500 million.

Syed Naseer Ahmed said this investment is vital in the sense that it is a "risk investment" and goes waste in case no gas or oil is found.-APP