Musharraf opens Rs 600m Murree gas project
Pakistan Times National News Desk

MURREE: Inaugurating a Rs 600 million gas line project for Murree hills, President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday declared that Pakistan would meet its growing energy requirements for fast-paced progress both through exploitation of indigenous resources and imports from regional countries.

The President told a public meeting at Lawrence College, Gora Gali, that the country is strategizing its energy requirements and working on import of natural gas from Qatar, Iran and Turkmenistan and electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

“We are devising a comprehensive strategy to sustain high economic growth and hope to have enough gas by year 2010 from external sources – at the same time, we are exploring gas reserves within the country and embracing success,” he said after unveiling a plaque at the ground breaking ceremony of the project.

Pakistan, he said, received a US $1.4 billion investment during the last financial year and described it as a clear sign of international confidence in the country’s economic health.

Referring to the 8.4 per cent economic growth, the President said the Government is conscious of sustaining it and has assigned a top priority to fulfilling the rapidly increasing energy needs in both industrial and agricultural fields.

“We will maintain the economic momentum as more investment will generate employment opportunities and reduce poverty in urban areas while greater agricultural output will help reduce poverty in rural areas,” he said.

The government, he said, would encourage hydro-power generation and development of the country’s vast untapped coal reserves as part of its drive to minimise Pakistan’s dependence on oil-based power.

Pakistan, he said, will also encourage alternative sources of energy and in this context referred to 100 MW windmill private sector project in Badin, Sindh as an auspicious example.

President Musharraf informed the gathering that the Government would provide electricity and clean drinking water to the entire nation by 2007 and said he would personally oversee progress of projects aimed at provision of better education and health services, development and poverty reduction at grassroots level.

The President directed the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited to materialise the 65-km long pipeline project within one year. The pipeline will bring gas from Wah Hattar and running through difficult hilly terrain, it would benefit a populace of 45,000 in Murree and adjoining hills.

The Federal Government, the Punjab Government and SNGPL have financed the Rs 604 million project.

Governor Punjab, Khalid Maqbool and Federal Petroleum Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon also addressed the gathering. Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament also attended the landmark gas project ceremony.

President Musharraf sought a pro-active role from people against extremism, saying wiping off the menace from the society is an absolute imperative for realising Pakistan’s progress befitting its true potential.

About the local government system, he said, it has been successful as is evident from the good work done by a number of Nazimeen in various parts of the country.

President Musharraf said the successful privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited is fetching US $2.6 with more efficient services expected from the PTCL in the years ahead.

Underscoring that major organisations work more efficiently in the private sector, he said, the Government also plans to privatise Pakistan Steel Mills. He said the Punjab Government is already pursuing Rs 250 million development projects for the area.

Amid tumultuous cheers from the public, he also announced establishment of a Rs 200 million 200-bed hospital for Murree, Rs 120.5 million for improvement of wildlife conservation park in Bansra Gali and a Rs 50 million bridge near Salgran.

President Musharraf also announced renovation of facilities at tourist resort of Patriata and a sum of Rs 10 million for Lawrence College, the venue of the public gathering.

Governor Punjab, Lt.-Gen. (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, speaking on the occasion, thanked the President for his interest and support for Murree gas line project.●