PESHAWAR, Jan 18: Work on the main pipeline from the Gurguri gas field to Noshwera, costing about Rs3.5 billion, will start soon, ending the problem of gas loadshedding during winters.

This was stated by federal Minister for Political Affairs and chief of the NWFP chapter of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Amir Muqam while presiding over a meeting of the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited at the Wapda House here on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said that the government was giving top priority to the provision of civic amenities to people living in rural and remote areas of the Frontier province.

He said that several projects had already been launched in a number of towns and villages in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Swat districts while surveys would be conducted for more projects in other rural areas of the province.

The minister called for accelerating gas supply projects in the province’s southern districts, adding that the president had desired to complete the projects urgently.

The feasibility report for provision of gas to Daudazia, Ghazana, Kafoor Dehri, Adezai, Mattani, Acheni Bala and Sango in Peshawar district should be completed in a week, the minister ordered.

Likewise, the implementation process of gas supply to Dag Ismail Khel, Jalozia, and Ziarat Kaka Sahib should also be expedited and work on a survey be started for Pir Sabahak, Akbarpura, Mohib Banda and Amankot in Nowshera district.

The minister instructed that an eight-inch pipeline should be laid for Swabi district and said that the distribution system for Swat, Khawazakhel and Barikot in Malakand division should be provided on priority basis.Moreover, the survey and feasibility report for Manshera, Battagram, Bisham and Shangla should be prepared within a month’s time.

The minister also ordered preparation of feasibility reports for gas supply projects to Buner and Lower Dir districts.

Amir Muqam expressed concern over the shortage of gas meters and ordered officials concern to provide connections in the Thana area in Malakand division as soon as possible.—APP