LNG terminal contract: Prime minister refuses to give his seal of approval

The ECC on February 28 had approved, in principle, to award the contract to ETPL subject to getting the go-ahead from the prime minister. PHOTO:FILE

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister has refused to approve award of the multi-million-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal contract to Elengy Terminal Pakistan Limited (ETPL) and has instead told the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to seek the nod of federal cabinet, sources say.

The directive came after the Ministry of Petroleum sent a summary to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for approval of the LNG terminal contract, which would lead to gas imports from November this year.

“However, the premier has sent back the summary to the ministry, directing that approval should be sought from the federal cabinet,” a source in the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, in a meeting held on February 28, had approved, in principle, award of the contract to ETPL subject to getting the go-ahead from the prime minister.

During the deliberations, the Law Division said Section 21 of the Ogra Ordinance 2002 empowered the federal government to issue policy guidelines to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). After the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the definition of “federal government” had been changed and now the federal government or prime minister could give policy guidelines directly or through a federal minister, it said.

ETPL, a subsidiary of Engro Corporation, had been declared the successful bidder as it quoted a tolling fee of 60 cents per million British thermal units (mmbtu). In the first phase, the government plans to import 200 million cubic feet of LNG per day (mmcfd) from November this year and increase the quantity to 400 mmcfd in 2015.

According to officials, the price quoted by ETPL has been approved by the consultant. The price had been evaluated keeping in view the regional tolling rates for terminal handling and that’s why the federal cabinet was being asked to approve the contract.

However, the ECC was upset about payment of millions of dollars in capacity charges to ETPL on account of tolling fee by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) even if it was unable to import LNG. Economic managers suggested that PSO should carry out due diligence before issuing a letter of comfort to Sui Southern Gas Company for LNG import from Qatar.

“Since the federal government controls PSO, the letter of comfort would have a bearing on taxpayer money. Therefore, before issuing the letter, PSO should carry out due diligence,” the ECC said.

It also noted that the LNG services agreement was a commercial contract between two commercial entities including SSGC and ETPL and their boards of directors were competent enough to grant approval in respect of the agreement.

Govt to spend $1.2 billion on Gwadar port, says minister

The port and shipping minister strongly refuted a news item telecast by a private TV channel that the Gwadar Port Authority wants to cancel the contract of a Chinese company. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister Nawaz Sharif has approved nine projects worth $1.2 billion for Gwadar port, the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael said on Friday.

The projects include an airport, schools, hospital, vocational training institutes, projects for uplift of fishermen and fish industry, and upgradation of Gwadar’s infrastructure.

The government will invest $1.2 billion on the port between 24-36 months, he said.

Michael said that a Chinese delegation had just completed a three-day visit to the port. He said that the outcome of the talks with the chief executive of the Chinese company involved have been very positive and optimistic.

The Ministry of Ports and Shipping is hoping to sign memoranda of understandings with various Europeanc countries by the end of March for new avenues of cooperation.

The port and shipping minister strongly refuted a news item telecast by a private TV channel that the Gwadar Port Authority wants to cancel the contract of a Chinese company.

Gaza ceasefire agreed after two-day flare-up

JERUSALEM/GAZA : Egypt brokered a ceasefire on Thursday aimed at ending a flare-up of rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli towns and Israeli air strikes in the Palestinian enclave, the Islamic Jihad group said.
There was no immediate word from Israel, but a senior Defence Ministry official said earlier in the day he expected the fighting to die down soon.
“Following intensive Egyptian contacts and efforts, the agreement for calm has been restored in accordance with understandings reached in 2012 in Cairo,” Khaled al-Batsh, an Islamic Jihad leader, wrote on Facebook, referring to a truce that ended an eight-day Gaza war two years ago. Batsh said Islamic Jihad, which began launching rockets into Israel on Wednesday after Israeli soldiers killed three of its fighters a day earlier, would hold its fire as long as Israel did the same.
Minutes before Batsh posted word of the truce on Facebook, Israeli aircraft struck targets in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt, wounding three Palestinians, witnesses said. The Israeli military said “seven terror sites” had been hit.
Hours earlier, sirens sounded in the southern Israeli towns of Ashkelon and Ashdod. Police said rockets had landed in open areas, causing no casualties.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military carried out 29 air strikes and fired tank shells at targets in Gaza after Islamic Jihad launched 60 rockets towards Israel in the heaviest such barrage in nearly two years.
No casualties were reported on either side of the frontier in Wednesday’s incidents.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel would “hit back with increasing force” against anyone who tried to ruin celebrations over the next few days of the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Palestinian sources noted that Gaza’s ruling Hamas Islamist movement had not joined in the rocket attacks - a sign that it hoped to avoid widening the conflict.
But, the sources said, Hamas also had not moved immediately to try to stop the launchings, apparently concerned it would be seen by Palestinians as less committed than Islamic Jihad to confronting Israel.
Islamic Jihad has strong ties with Israel’s arch-foe Iran and is the second largest faction in the enclave.
Last week Israeli forces seized a ship in the Red Sea which it said was carrying missiles to armed groups in Gaza. Officials said the arms may have been intended for Islamic Jihad.

Govt mulling freeing non-combatant Taliban

ISLAMABAD - The government is considering releasing non-combatant Taliban prisoners, but it would not accommodate any unconstitutional demand from the militants.
This transpired Thursday during a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and a 10-member delegation of Pakistan Ulema Council led by Allama Tahir Ashrafi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the government does not want any bloodshed in the country and is serious in resolving issues through dialogue and reconciliation.
In addition to the dialogue with Taliban, matters relating to the Karachi operation and the overall law and order situation were also discussed in the meeting.
Both sides agreed that the entire nation is facing challenges and an agreement was made to continue working for peace.
On the occasion, the prime minister said all matters should be settled amicably without the use of force. The prime minister reiterated that the government is serious in talks with Taliban with a clear objective of restoring peace to the country.
He said demands of Taliban for peace are under consideration which will be discussed by the new government committee. However‚ no demand against constitution or law will be met, he added.
The prime minister urged the ulema (religious scholars) to play a positive role in improving Pakistan's credibility.
The prime minister told ulema that he was devoted to overcoming the challenges faced by Pakistan. Nawaz said the government was playing its role for peace and harmony and ulema from all sects should do the same.
Talking to media after meeting with the prime minister, Maulana Ashrafi said the Ulema Council lauded the PM's initiative for peace and elimination of terrorism. “We have demanded the government release non militant prisoners as this would give a positive message.”
Ashrafi quoted the PM as saying that the government is considering releasing non-combatant Taliban prisoners.
During the meeting, the PM pointed out that extremism could be eradicated from society by following the true spirit of Islam.
Nawaz assured the government's all-out support to the Ulema who are playing their role to advance the cause of peace and harmony in the country.
Allama Tahir Ashrafi said that the process of negotiations with Taliban made a headway with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s personal interest. He assured the PM of full support by the Pakistan Ulema Council and added that the PM's desire for peace and his political acumen was reflective of his sincerity for the country.
The Ulema Council chairman also expressed support for the government's foreign policy and its efforts to eradicating polio from the country.

Pakistan best limited overs side: Afridi

LAHORE - Shahid Afridi has rated Pakistan as the best limited-overs outfit in the world, but wanted his side to improve their fielding.
Afridi is currently undergoing a week-long rehabilitation after suffering a strain during the Asia Cup, but was confident of recovering in time for the World T20 starting next week. "I can't see a better [limited-overs] combination in the world than Pakistan because our bowling is good, batting is good but the only mistake we are doing that's in fielding and fielding is the most essential thing in limited-overs cricket," Afridi said here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Pakistan's team is set to leave for the World T20 in Bangladesh on Thursday, but Afridi is expected to join them early next week. "I am recovering well. I am sure I will play at least one warm-up match." Pakistan's warm-up matches are on next Monday and Wednesday, after which they open their campaign in a high-profile match against India.  "We will do our best, all will join in that effort in the India match. We won the last match against India and I think that will give us benefit." Afridi was at his explosive best in the Asia Cup, starring in victories over India and Bangladesh, and was looking at a floating position in the batting order at the World T20. "I think one should be flexible, if there are five-six overs left then I can go up the order but it will depend on situation and overs.

Saudi Prince Buys Off A Fully Customized Airbus A380 For $500 Million And It Will Blow You Away

We all have seen how Saudis go about spending the loads of money that they have got. However, what we will show you today is a bit too superfluous even for a Saudi prince.

The basic concept behind being rich is simple; fly first class, own your own private jet or maybe have your name painted on it. But Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal has taken it to the next level by pulling of this new feat. The Prince has recently acquired an Airbus A380 which costs $300 million and is spending another $200 million to customize it into something that will look more than just spectacular!

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal has a net worth of $18 billion but still this feat seems a bit too overboard, don’t you think? Prince employed his investment firm, Kingdom Holding, to acquire shares of some companies and it has really paid off. The companies include; News Corp, Apple, Citigroup and Twitter and is also the proud owner of The Savoy (London), the Fairmont (San Francisco), the Plaza (New York) and the Four Seasons. Prince also owns a number of yachts and his car collection currently contains 200 automobiles and has three palaces at his disposal with a total area of 5 million square feet. Once the Airbus is ready and is delivered to the Prince, he will be the owner of four gigantic private jets; the last addition being the world’s largest and most costly private plane. A typical Airbus A380 is capable of handling 800 passengers.

The remodeled Airbus A380 for the Prince shall have the following list of features and well, if these are just the highlights, we are sure that it is going to be one heck of an Airbus to own indeed. The Airbus shall come with a parking space for his Majesty’s Rolls Royce while supporting a concert hall which will be able to hold 10 persons and shall even have a stage for private entertainment sessions.

The plane will also come with spa treatments and rooms dedicated as steam rooms with tiles made of marble. There are plans of incorporating a room which will have flat screen TVs on walls and floors. These TV’s shall be telecasting to passengers what the Airbus is flying over and they call it the “Magic Carpet” room.

There shall be a room with holographic monitors and a prayer room with mats that shall automatically adjust themselves to face Mecca. There are many other features in the Airbus as well, such as an elevator that can be used to access different levels.

Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can buy stuff that can make you feel amazing!
Check out the video below for more details:

Legitimate concerns: Pakistan engaged with WHO over polio campaign, says FO

“I don’t agree that there is an impression in Iran that Pakistan is not serious. Pakistan is serious and Iranian government is aware of that." PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: A day after prime minister Nawaz Sharif termed the violence riddled polio campaign in Pakistan part of the collateral damage in the war on terror, the foreign office insisted on Thursday that the government was focused on the issue, and expressed determination to carry forward the campaign.

During the weekly briefing, the foreign office responded to questions about concerns over the polio campaign in Pakistan including possible travel sanctions by different countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO labeled Peshawar as the reservoir of polio this year.

“About Polio, more than anyone else, it is our concern. It is about the future and health of our children,” the spokesperson said.

Pakistan already faces restrictions from India. Passengers from Pakistan are required to produce a certificate proving vaccination. However, the spokesperson said she was unaware of similar plans by any other country over impending restrictions.

“Unlike the perception, the reality is that most of the children in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and FATA have been inoculated,” the spokesperson said, adding that “We have remained engaged with WHO in Geneva as well and while they understand the problem, the security threats, they are keen to help Pakistan overcome this problem and provide vaccination to all children.”

Saying there was “no need for concern,” she noted that the inoculation campaign was an “ongoing issue and we will remain engaged with WHO and other governments.”

Pakistan serious about I-P pipeline

Asked about the growing clamor from Tehran over the stalled Iran-Pakistan pipeline, the spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to the project.

“I don’t agree that there is an impression in Iran that Pakistan is not serious. Pakistan is serious and Iranian government is aware of that,” she said, adding that Pakistan’s commitment to the project has been oft repeated.

She referred to the statement by Advisor to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in the parliament where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the project.

“We have had discussions and a number of options are under consideration by the two sides. We are considering a number of proposals together.”

Afghanistan elections

The spokesperson expressed lack of knowledge on why no arrangements had been made to extend franchise to Afghan refugees living in Pakistan ahead of the upcoming polls in Afghanistan.

“It is most probably because of some administrative arrangements they are not able to make for conducting elections for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.“

However, the spokesperson said that Pakistan was willing to extend all possible facilitation to Afghanistan for the upcoming elections. “We will extend whatever help the Afghan government requests us for and we are able to give.”

Repatriating Pakistanis

Asked about Pakistanis who face deportation for the UK and some Pakistanis held in the US administered Guantanamo Bay prison, the spokesperson said that the relevant departments were engaged over the repatriation of citizens.

“You know that Pakistan and the European Union signed a re-admission agreement and under that those persons whose Pakistani nationality is determined and who are living in the United Kingdom or any other European country illegally, we accept them back.”

She ruled out mass deportations, but acknowledged that some illegal Pakistanis are being repatriated. “Our Ministry of Interior is coordinating.”

About Pakistanis in Guantanamo Bay, the spokesperson said that they had been in touch with US authorities.

“I don’t know the exact number but yes, we have been in contact with the US authorities.”

The spokesperson highlighted visits by officials of interior ministry to meet the detainees and determine their nationality. “Many Pakistanis were released as a result of those efforts.”

She declined immediate knowledge of a specific pact with US over Pakistanis held in Guantanamo bay.

NDMA

The spokesperson said that the delay in according the NDMA to India was dependent on India fulfilling its actions.

“As the name indicates, NDMA means non-discriminatory market access. There are a number of things in that respect that India is expected to do.”

She explained that the timelines were agreed on the sidelines of the SAARC Business Conclave in New Delhi.

“Once India completes those actions, NDMA would be given by both countries to each other.”

Rejecting the notion that the Foreign Office was opposing the NDMA, she said that the government will decide after due consultation with all the stakeholders.