KARACHI: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the amendment in the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) master plan to accommodate the prospective 3rd LNG terminal proposed to be developed at Jharri Creek/Chann Wadoo.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired a meeting of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, here today.
Maritime affairs ministry decided in December last year to undertake a scientific study, through a third party consultant, and PQA had initiated the process by inviting applications in February to hire a consultant to undertake LNG Zone study.
Issues were being faced in the movement of LNG ships in the existing channel at Port Qasim that repeatedly hampered normal cargo traffic, and traffic congestion was being witnessed due to issues arising out of incoming LNG vessels.
The ECC has approved amendment in the PQA master plan without the completion of the scientific study, as government is willing to complete the terminal before come winter.
The ECC was given a detailed briefing by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs underlining the urgency of establishment of third terminal at Port Qasim Authority (PQA) so as to meet the gas shortage in the country in the years ahead.
The ECC also approved the resolutions of the PQA’s Board by exempting the Authority from public tendering for appointment of legal consultant through negotiated tendering.