Lack of Infrastructure May Render Pakistan's LNG Import Plans Unworkable

Pakistan’s recent LNG deal with Qatar may be rendered unworkable as country lacks infrastructure to import the product, South Asian News Agency reported citing The Pakistan Economy Watch.

Government has been trying to import LNG since years during which billions were spent on studies, hiring of experts, foreign tours and road shows disregarding the fact that no Pakistani harbour can discharge LNG cargo, said Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

Depth of water at Port Qasim and Kemari is 39 feet while the average depth of a loaded LNG carrier in the water is 45 to 48 feet. The lightest LNG ship available is that of fifty thousand tonnes with 42 feet draught that cannot be anchored at any Pakistani seaport, the agency quoted him as saying. 
 
Murtaza Mughal said Pakistan cannot import LNG unless we have deep waterways at ports, degasification facility and 50 kilometre pipeline linking degasified gas with SSGC system, the news agency report added.
 
Those who have signed LNG deal are unaware of the ground realities or they have signed deal for personal gains, Mughal observed.