ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is poised to save nearly USD 200 million annually in foreign exchange following the revival of the long-dormant Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL) gas processing plant, a major energy infrastructure project restored with the facilitation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) after remaining inactive for almost five years.
The reopening of the plant is being hailed as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen energy security, reduce import dependence, and revive strategically important industrial assets.
JJVL, Pakistan’s first gas processing facility equipped with advanced Ortloff technology for the extraction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), has resumed operations and is once again contributing to the national energy supply chain.
According to official figures, the prolonged shutdown of the plant deprived the country of approximately 317,000 tonnes of locally produced LPG and caused an estimated economic loss of Rs94 billion. The closure also increased reliance on imported LPG and other energy products, placing additional pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the project, SIFC initiated coordinated efforts in 2024 to resolve longstanding issues and facilitate the plant’s revival through engagement with relevant stakeholders.
As a result, the facility has been successfully restored and integrated back into the country’s energy infrastructure, supporting the government’s broader objective of maximizing indigenous energy resources and reducing the national import bill.
Chairman of the Associated Group, Iqbal Z. Ahmed, whose company spearheaded the project, acknowledged the critical role played by SIFC in bringing the plant back online.
“SIFC helped us revive this project, which had remained closed for five years. Without the council’s support and guidance, it would not have been possible to restore a project of such national importance,” he said.
He noted that the project, valued at over USD 250 million, will generate annual foreign exchange savings of approximately USD 200 million by reducing the need for imported LPG and boosting domestic production capacity.
Beyond its contribution to energy security, the revival of JJVL is expected to create substantial economic benefits. Ahmed said the project has already generated employment opportunities for nearly 5,000 people, both directly and indirectly, while stimulating industrial and commercial activity in the surrounding region.
Officials described the successful restoration of the plant as a strong example of SIFC’s effectiveness in resolving investment bottlenecks, restoring investor confidence, and accelerating the implementation of projects critical to Pakistan’s economic development.
They added that the resumption of operations at JJVL will strengthen the country’s energy self-reliance, support industrial growth, conserve valuable foreign exchange, and contribute to sustainable long-term economic progress.
Story by Nuzhat Nazar
