PAKISTAN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US on Dec 8 for awarding consultancy for setting up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. This exercise was once done in 2005 and the process continued till 2007 when it was recommended that the government set up an LNG terminal on an integrated basis. A letter of exclusivity was awarded and everything seemed to be moving. If this process would have continued, Pakistan would have an LNG terminal by 2010.

Then came 2008 and with it came the present adviser, Dr Asim Hussain. He meddled with the tender conditions to control the procurement of LNG, for reasons best known to him.

This was in stark violation of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules and the process got into a legal tangle and got scrapped. What a sight it was to see the same adviser signing the MOU, to start from scratch, for a project that he destroyed just four years ago?

While signing this consultancy MOU, did he remember his tall claim of actually bringing LNG in December 2011, then in March 2012 and then in July  2012? Not to talk of importing LNG from India via the Wagah border and, of course, retrofitting wrongfully purchased Progas LPG terminal. Is there anything else left to be added except we are back to square one? A person of clear conscience must quit.

DR KAZI KHADIM HUSSAIN            Hyderabad