ISLAMABAD: State-owned QatarEnergy will be a shareholder in a private sector LNG terminal being set up at Pakistan’s Port Qasim, the ministry of maritime affairs said this week.
Port Qasim, one of Pakistan’s largest ports, is located 28 miles south-east of the country’s largest city, Karachi. The South Asian country has become an emerging buyer in the international LNG market over the last few years, with an increasing gap between demand and supply of gas.
Pakistan and Qatar agreed to address all issues related to the development of LNG terminals during a video conference held on Tuesday between Qatari energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, and Pakistani Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi.
“Minister Al-Kaabi, who is also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy apprised the participants that QatarEnergy fully supports and will be a shareholder in one of the private sector LNG Terminals being set up at Port Qasim,” the maritime affairs ministry said on Twitter.
“Minister Al-Kaabi will visit Pakistan at the signing of implementation agreement,” the tweet added.
Pakistan imports more than half of its LNG through long-term contracts, which buffers it somewhat from spot price volatility. In recent months, there have been a spate of cancellations of cargoes.
The country with a population of over 200 million has struggled with energy shortages and rising power prices, with electricity still not available to 50 million people in the country who need it, according to a 2018 World Bank report.
QatarEnergy to be shareholder in LNG terminals being set up at Port Qasim
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QatarEnergy to be shareholder in LNG terminals being set up at Port Qasim
- Pakistan has become emerging buyer in international LNG market over last few years
- Pakistan imports more than half of its LNG through long-term contracts
At least five killed as massive fire guts dozens of shops at Pakistan mall — rescue official
- More than 20 fire trucks were busy dousing the fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza
- The cause of the fire, which injured 15 people, was not immediately known
ISLAMABAD: A massive fire tore through a multi-story shopping mall in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi late Saturday and killed at least five people, rescue officials said.
Firefighters and rescue workers rushed to Gul Plaza in Karachi’s Saddar business district upon receiving information about the blaze at around 10pm, according to a Rescue 1122 spokesman.
Television footage showed firefighters in protective gear battling the flames as several fire trucks used ladders, water cannons and hoses to douse the building’s floors, where flames shot out of windows and balconies.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
“More than 20 fire brigade trucks, water bowsers and snorkels are present at the scene and additional firefighting resources have been called in,” the spokesman said early Sunday.
“Over 20 people were injured in the fire and the death toll has now reached five.”
Police said an investigation would be launched once the blaze was extinguished. However, most structures in Karachi, and other parts of the country, lack fire prevention and firefighting systems, which often result in damages and casualties.
Authorities said the fire spread rapidly after erupting in an area of the mall where shopkeepers had stored imported garments, clothing and plastic household goods, which helped fuel the flames.
“Due to the old nature of the building, there is a risk of its collapse after being affected by the severe fire,” the Rescue 1122 spokesman said. “The operation is being carried out with extreme caution.”
Karachi is the capital of southern Sindh province, where such incidents are common. In November 2023, a fire tore through a shopping mall in the city, killing 10 people and injuring 22 others.
