TAXILA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved Rs4 billion for development of gas infrastructure in Attock under which gas will be supplied to more localities, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said whilst addressing the press on Sunday.

Under this special development package, he said, work on a 28-km long pipeline with a diametre of 24-inches will begin soon to address the issue of low gas pressure in the different areas of NA-55, including Attock city, Hazro and Hassanabdal. The project will be completed with an allocation of Rs1.6 billion during the current fiscal year.

Around Rs3 million has been allocated for work to be done in Hazro city, which will be completed in the coming few months, he said, adding Rs500 million will be spent on establishing a gas pipeline in several areas of Attock city, Hazro and Hassanabdal.

Responding to a question, he said that a case for provision of gas to 35 villages in three tehsils: Jand Pindigheb and Fatehjang has been finalised and sent to the Economic Cooperation Council so that Rs1.8 billion can be released to materialise it.

PTI has come up with a plan to provide gas to each and every village of the district without discrimination, he said, adding the government prioritises to resolve issues faced by people.

“The government is fully cognisant of the issues faced by the people to get basic facilities,” he said.

SNGPL officials have been directed to complete ongoing gas projects within stipulated timelines, he said and highlighted the need to take proactive steps in order to remove all obstacles in the way of provision of basic facilities to people.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2020