DHULLIAN: Natural gas will henceforth be distributed on wider scale covering better part of [the] country as [an] alternative measure to meet fuel shortage. An ambitious plan prepared to this effect by [the] Federal Go­­v­ernment was today [Jan 10] disclosed by Min­ister for Fuel, Power and Natural Resources Hayat Mohammad Khan Sherpao, while inaugurating Foundation Gas Filling Plant here some seventy miles from Rawalpindi.

He said that by next March, air-mixed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be available to Quetta and Larkana. … The Minister further revealed that it was proposed to lay a 300 miles long pipeline from Sui in Baluchistan to Karachi. Under first phase of project, the pipeline will be laid by October this year. … The entire project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 54.33 crores, will be completed by June 1976. Mr. Sherpao said a similar scheme now under implementation will provide additional gas to Punjab and NWFP. …

Earlier in his welcome address, Major Gen­eral (Retired) Mohammad Nawaz Ma­­lik, Managing Director of Fauji Foundation disclosed that Iran was likely to collaborate with Pakistan in manufacturing of gas filling cylinders. — Islamabad Bureau

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024