Pak, Russia take step towards building undersea gas pipeline

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and Russia have finalised a memorandum of understanding for conducting a feasibility study for a planned undersea gas pipeline project, which could eventually involve Iran and India as well.

Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal told a weekly news briefing on Thursday: “The ministries of energy of Pakistan and the Russian federation have finalised a MOU for conducting a feasibility study for implementation of an undersea gas pipeline project.”

According to the details available so far, the project will eventually involve four countries — Pakistan, Russia, Iran and India. It has been under discussion since last year.

“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,” Faisal said. He said Russia has been keen on promoting energy cooperation with Pakistan. “The two countries have concluded various proposals in the energy sector, including construction of the North-south Gas Pipeline, import of LNG from Russia, installation of an air mix plant and establishing a 600-MW combined cycle power plant,” he said.

Responding to a question, he denied the new project will replace the stalled Iran-pakistan gas pipeline. “The Iran-pakistan gas pipeline is a separate project,” he said.

On the issue of relations with India, Faisal said Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes with India but any misadventure would not go unpunished. “If aggression is thrust upon us, it would be duly punished...we expect maturity from India in this regard.”