20 January 2005	Thursday	09 Zilhaj 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: Recent Sui gas supply disruptions cost the economy billions at a rate of Rs150-200 million per day, but the un quantifiable loss to the national image was more devastating, a federal minister said on Wednesday.

Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon told a news briefing that though the exact size of loss was still being calculated it could range between Rs150 million and Rs200 million per day.

He said there was a possibility of involvement of foreign hands in attacks on Sui gas installations aimed at creating doubts about the proposed trans-national gas pipeline project. He regretted that such elements had succeeded in their attempt.

He recalled that soon after the attacks, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh had asked in a statement how Pakistan would ensure safety of the trilateral gas pipeline coming to his country when it had failed to protect its own gas installations.

The minister said the repair work of gas installations had been completed by Tuesday night and gas from different fields was being re-pumped into the system. He expressed the hope that normal supplies would be restored throughout the country before Eidul Azha.

He said the security situation around the gas fields had improved and added that the government would not tolerate any terrorist or sabotage activity to national assets.

He said sardars and maliks of Balochistan received commission from local people for provision of jobs in government organizations but added that this practice would now be discontinued.

He said locals would be provided jobs directly, development schemes would be started in their areas and people would be enlightened to discourage negative elements.

In reply to a question, he said Pakistan had reached the stage where it would have decide by next month as to which of the three gas import plans should be pursued as it required additional energy to meet the increasing demand.

He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would be visiting Tehran next month to pursue the Iran-Pakistan pipeline. Besides, he added, a delegation had just returned from Qatar after holding discussions on the Qatar-Pakistan pipeline. He said a steering committee meeting would be held next month in Islamabad to consider the Turkmenistan-Pakistan pipeline project.

Petroleum Secretary Ahmad Waqar said on the occasion that Pakistan had also discussed with Qatar the possibility of importing liquefied natural gas during the interim period as the pipeline options would take five to seven years to materialize. The minister said India would be welcomed to join any or all of these projects.