Pakistan hopes to sign deal on gas pipeline construction with Russia at SCO summit in Ufa

NEW DELHI, June 30. /TASS/. Pakistan hopes to sign a deal with Russia on construction of gas pipeline linking the cities of Karachi and Lahor in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Ufa, the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told journalists on Tuesday. "We will try to do everything possible to sign an intergovernmental agreement on construction of pipeline during [Pakistan’s] prime minister’s visit to Moscow," the Deccan Herald newspaper quoted Abbasi as saying. The deal is estimated at $2 billion. The pipeline will stretch for 1,100 kilometers. Russia is also expected to supply LNG (liquefied natural gas) to Pakistan. "The Russian side has expressed readiness to help Pakistan overcome the energy crisis," Abbasi said. "LNG supplies will start in 2016," he added. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will pay an official visit to Russia on July 8-10 when BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and SCO summits are due to take place. Read more