08 January 2005	Saturday	26 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Jan 7: Governor Balochistan, Owais Ahmed Ghani has stressed that the supply of gas to Gwadar should be arranged on a "fast-track" basis, as it is urgently needed.

The approach for development of Balochistan must be driven by strategic considerations rather than purely economic factors, he said on his first visit to the head office of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Friday while talking to senior officials of the company.

The Governor was briefed on the different options being considered for supply of gas to Gwadar, for which feasibilities are being prepared by the SSGC. The Gwadar project is expected to make major contributions to the development of the entire province, and along with SSGC's Corporate Social Responsibility projects, benefit the population in terms of improving their overall quality of life.

Owais Ghani extended his full support to SSGC in terms of providing every possible support to overcome any difficulty from an economic or financial standpoint, says a press release of the SSGC.

SSGC's managing director, Munnawar Baseer stated that the project for the supply of gas to Ziarat has been completed and piped gas is available in Ziarat town. The Governor offered land to SSGC in Ziarat for establishing its office.

Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) is supplying natural gas to over 1.73 million customers, including more than 18,000 industrial/commercial customers, in over 928 towns in Sindh and Balochistan, he said.