First private LNG shipment likely to arrive by month end.

ISLAMABAD -- The first private shipment, carrying around 130,000 cubic meter Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), is likely to arrive at Karachi port by end of this month, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Gas Distribution Company (UGDC) Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said Thursday.

'We have recently signed deals with world leading companies ExxonMobil and Trafigura for supply of LNG, while the 'additional private capacity' of Pakistan Gas Port Consortium Limited (PGPC)'s terminal used for re-gasification and onward distribution,' he told reporter.

The Trafigura and Gas Port have ownership of the 'additional private capacity' at the terminal, he said adding 'a formula already exists under which private sector can import LNG as per its requirements, get it injected into existing gas transmission network and receive at industrial units.'

After injection of the private imported LNG in distribution networks of Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Paracha said 'the users of private LNG, will be called UGDC consumers, a private sector company of Pakistan.'

He appreciated the government for allowing private sector to import LNG and...