Pakistan, Russia Sign Gas Pipe MoU: Report

Pakistan and Russia have finalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for conducting a feasibility study of the planned undersea gas pipeline, Dawn reported June 8.

The undersea gas pipeline project would eventually involve four countries — Pakistan, Iran, Russia and India. The project has been under discussion since last year, the newspaper reported. “The purpose of the MoU is to assist in providing support for the realisation of the project. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the two sides will take a decision for its future,” said Muhammad Faisal, spokesperson, Pakistani foreign office.

Faisal however emphasised that the new project would not replace the stalled Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. “The IP gas pipeline is a separate project,” the newspaper quoted Faisal saying. The IP pipeline project has been stuck due to sanctions on Iran. 

In addition to the IP pipeline, Pakistan is also part of the TAPI pipeline project which will transport gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Pakistan’s gas consumption has been rising and the country has also become a major importer of LNG.