No LNG Project Exists In Bundle Island Area: Senate Body Informed

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23th August, 2016) : Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change was informed on Tuesday that there existed no Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in the Bundle Island Karachi, which could pollute sea water and pose any threat to defence infrastructure. Officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources apprised the committee meeting, chaired by Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini, that NOC (no objection certificate) for any project was issued in consultation with all stakeholders and after completing the required study. The body was holding discussion on a calling attention notice moved by Senators Taj Haider, Sherry Rehman and Karim Ahmed Khawaja about construction of LNG Terminal resulting in obstruction of Bundle Island causing threat to security and safety of the Island as well as the defence infrastructure in the area (Near Do-Darya at Karachi Coastline.) Representatives of the Port Qasim Authority said neither the authority issued any NOC nor such a project existed in the master plan.

Officials of the Ministry of Defence said there was no request for setting up LNG Terminal in the Bundle Island, adding that Engro Pakistan Gas and Global companies had been issued the NOC in the LNG zone only. They informed the committee that till to-date no such application had been received, if any request come, it would be evaluated keeping in view concerns of the committee and other stakeholders. Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Abu Akif said a large quantity of polluted water was being discharged in the sea daily and underlined the need for setting up an inter ministerial council to avoid the sea pollution. Among others, the meeting was attended by Mushahid Hussain Syed, Taj Haider, Sherry Rehman, Sitara Ayaz, Nuzhat Sadiq, Gul Bashra, Saleem Zia and Ahmed Hassan, officials of Ministries of Climate Change, Petroleum and Natural Resources and Defence besides Pakistan Meteorological Department.