Pakistan, Russia to Finalise Karachi-Lahore Gas Pipeline Deal Next Week

Pakistan and Russia are expected to finalise, next week, a deal on laying a $1.7-billion gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, Express Tribune newspaper reported Saturday.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has given its, in principle, consent for the construction of the 1,100km North South Gas Pipeline from Karachi to Lahore for the supply of re-gasified LNG to proposed gas-fired power plants in northern Pakistan, the newspaper added.

The two countries signed a preliminary agreement in December for awarding the contract of laying the gas pipeline to a Russian company in a government-to-government arrangement.

In addition to Russia, Pakistan has also signed a deal with China under which Beijing will finance LNG terminal and Gwadar pipeline project.

Separately, a Pakistani team will hold talks with a Russian delegation on the modalities of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Tapi) pipeline, Express Tribune said. The newspaper has reported earlier this week that French energy major Total is expected to win project financing contract for the TAPI gas pipeline project.

Ministers of four countries, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will meet on February 11 in Islamabad and attend a meeting of the steering committee on the gas pipeline project, officials have told the newspaper.