Pak-Russia technical talks to conclude today
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The three-day technical talks between Pakistan and Russia on the North-South gas pipeline project will end today. Both sides are trying to finalise the prerequisites to carry out the work worth of approximately 2.2 billion dollars.
The Russian technical team led by the special representative of the Russian Ministry of Energy has arrived in Islamabad for the implementation of the project. DL Kapnik and Inter-State Gas Company CEO Saira Najeeb is representing Pakistan side. Islamabad has proposed a 51 percent majority stake in the project and offering the remaining 49 percent to the Russian side. Discussion will also take place regarding a planned 8th session of Pakistan Russia JCC on the gas project next month (December 2020).
The JCC meeting with Russian delegation will execute the proposed amendments in the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with Russia, shareholders agreement and incorporation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Precise timelines can be given on project activities, once the Russians nominated entity is on board and SPV is formed.
This month (November), technical parameters of the project will be finalised. NESPAK will submit its initial feasibility study and land data regarding first parcel of land in January 2021. The ISGS will verify the land data and start land acquisition process in January 2021.
As per the inter-governmental agreement between Pakistan and Russia, Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd is the Pakistani nominated entity, which will implement the project.
The federal government has planned to take steps on commencing work on the laying of the North South Pipeline within six months, and on TAPI pipeline as soon as its laying in Afghanistan reaches the stage where the work of laying pipeline on Pakistan soil can conveniently start, and on Iran-Pakistan Pipeline as soon as the sanctions on Iran are no more an impediment in its laying.
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) is taking up the project activities on a fast-track basis to implement the court’s order in true letter and spirit.
After the apex court’s August 13, 2020 decision regarding GIDC, the first meeting was held in Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on August 17, 2020, with the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar in the chair along with Secretary Petroleum and others to chalk out the strategy for the execution of the projects.
