16 February 2005	Wednesday	06 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources on Tuesday constituted a special technical committee to come up with the best possible economic options for the proposed gas pipeline from Qatar to Pakistan.

The technical committee due to meet in Doha in about a week's time would be headed by petroleum secretary from the Pakistani side while Adviser Petroleum Jayad Nasir would represent Qatar.

This was decided in a meeting between Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiya.

The committee, comprising highly qualified personnel, would delve deep over the best options of the proposed project and present its recommendations. Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister dilated on the benefits that both Pakistan and Qatar would share in terms of developing closer ties besides economic and social welfare.

"The technical committee will discuss all options such as whether the gas pipeline should be laid offshore or onshore, its costs and the time the project should commence and deliberate on various other formalities of the project," the minister said.

Minister for Energy Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiya said: "The project has been on tables for the last 14 years. Its about time that talks on the proposed gas pipeline project picked up rhythm and was completed as soon as possible."