RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) expressed concerns over unavailability of gas in the city with the start of winter season.

In a statement issued here on Monday, RCCI President Syed Asad Mashadi said that after postponement of PakIran gas pipeline project due to international sanctions on Iran the government should speed up work on Turlcmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan & India (TAPI) gas pipeline project to fulfill the local requirements. He said that following the recent visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghanni a thaw in relations between the two countries can be seen.

About Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, he said the business community understood the constraints of the government and was willing to support for the betterment of national economy.

But it is the responsibility of the government to go for the best option available with the country, he said. He said that despite all problems and challenges business community saw the light at the end of the tunnel and was hopeful that government would resolve the issue soon.

While explaining about the details of TAPI President RCCI said that initially 27 billion cubic meter gas would be provided through TAPI in which Afghanistan would get the share of 2 billion cubic meter while Pakistan and India would get 12.5 billion cubic meter each and this project was likely to be completed in 2017.

He said that we can only compete in international trade markets if uninterrupted electricity and gas is provided to industry on cheaper rates.