Geopolitics aid Pakistan energy investments
Various nations are seeking to secure regional influence by backing major projects in Pakistan that might otherwise struggle for finance
Gas-producing nations including Russia, Iran and Mid-East Gulf states—as well as major investors such as China—have sought to strike deals with Islamabad over the summer. In one of the most significant developments, Russia agreed to help Pakistan finance and build a 1,100km gas pipeline from Port Qasim in Karachi to the northwestern city of Kasur, near Lahore. The revised agreement, worth at least $2.5bn, is a far cosier arrangement for Pakistan than a preliminary draft signed with Moscow in 2015. In fact, Russia stands to gain little financially from the project. Its stake in the renamed Pakistan Gas Stream Pipeline (PGSP) has been provisionally scaled back to 26pc from an 85pc controlling

Also in this section
30 May 2025
Energy majors argue transition debate has started to factor in the complexities of demand shifts and the wider role for gas
29 May 2025
Sovereignty is the watchword for the new government, but there are still upstream opportunities for those willing to work closely with the state
29 May 2025
A cautious approach to coal-to-gas switching offers lessons to others who are looking to balance cost with cleaner energy
28 May 2025
The country may have the resources, but sanctions and a lack of market access make its gas ambitions look very questionable