ISLAMABAD, Dec 26: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Jadoon has said work on the Rs700 million Hattar-Abbotabad gas pipeline would be completed soon.

The project completion would also put an end to complaints concerning low gas pressure in the Northern Areas, he said, while talking to a delegation of nazims of Hawalian led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob, at his office on Tuesday.

The delegation informed the minister that unavailability of gas in the Northern Areas and Hawaliaan was causing great inconvenience to the people and the issue should be addressed immediately. They said cutting of trees for fuel purposes was at its peak in the mountainous region. Environmental degradation had reached an alarming level and the ecology was under threat.

The minister was also told that local people in these areas had no alternative sources of fuel except woods.

Besides, during the winter season when temperature dropped below minus, burning wood was the only way to keep houses warm. They said people had no other option but to cut trees despite their environmental repercussions.

The minister assured the delegation that gas would be provided to each and every village of Hawalian upon the completion of the project.