Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and Australia is one of the options available to import gas. - Photo by Reuters.

ISLAMABAD The Asian Development Bank has said that Pakistan's natural gas production is projected to level off by 2011 and by 2030 more than 70 per cent of domestic demand for natural gas will have to be met through imports. But, it says, projects to import gas are being delayed because of various issues and constraints.

In a report on the energy outlook 2030, the ADB says that to import natural gas several options were under consideration of Pakistan, including pipelines from Iran and Turkmenistan to supply gas and import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and Australia.

'Political and financial constraints may pose difficult challenges for the realisation of these projects,' the ADB says, adding that it is resulting in widening the gap between demand and supply of gas.

In order to overcome these difficulties, the report says, it is essential for Pakistan to form partnerships with neighbouring countries, natural gas suppliers, transit countries to create mutually-beneficial outcome. It says that the country needs to enhance the energy security by diversifying energy sources for power generation.