April 13, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1427

KARACHI, April 12: The Associated Group (AG) has obtained a permission from the government to import Pakistan’s first ever LNG cargo this year.

The petroleum ministry had issued an NOC to AG on April 8. The company has partnered with Excelerate Energy of Houston for the project, Iqbal Z. Ahmad, chairman and CEO of AG, said in a statement here on Wednesday.

The NOC has been issued subject to the condition that AG will bear the risk and cost of the LNG import and there shall be no government throughput or buyback guarantees. The ministry has also asked the company to adhere to international safety standards and best practices and ensure that LNG imports must conform to the LNG policy which is being finalised.