TOBA TEK SINGH: Dr Sajjad Arshad, acting president of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), has stressed the need for completing the pending Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline on a priority basis to avoid penalty of $18 billion and to ensure supply of gas to the industrial sector in the wake of fast depleting indigenous gas reserves.

In a statement on Thursday, he expressed satisfaction over the Pakistan-Iran engagement on this issue as the energy crisis has gripped Pakistan.

He said that Iran has laid a gas pipeline within its territory but Pakistan could not start work on it due to the American sanctions on Iran.

He said that it would not only help Pakistan to overcome the gas shortage but also help it to avoid heavy penalties.

He said initially Pakistan is required to lay only 80 kilometer pipeline within its territory while Iran has given consent to further extend the completion period for another 180 days.

He said if Pakistan takes a bold decision to start work on this national importance project, it could be completed by September.

He further said that the government must take up this sensitive issue prudently and start work on it as per agreement with the Iranian government.

ARRESTED: The Khanewal Sadar police arrested Constable Arif Tofeeq for patronising drug peddlers.

Sub-Inspector Ziaur Rehman said in the FIR that Tofeeq received a bribe of Rs10,000 from an alleged narcotic smuggler Khalid Khan.

FIA: FIA arrested three persons allegedly involved in Hundi and illegal currency exchange business in Millat Town, Faisalabad.

An FIA official said the accused Ameer Hamza, Ilyas and Haseeb, had been found involved in unlawful transactions of millions of rupees. Records of transactions had also been recovered from their custody.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2024