KARACHI: Construction of a multibillion-dollar project with Russia to transport 1.6 billion cubic feet per day of regasified liquefied natural gas from the cities of Karachi to Kasur will commence in July this year, a top Pakistani official said on Sunday.
The project, earlier called the North-South Pipeline but recently renamed the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project, will deliver gas from Pakistan’s coastal regions to industrial areas in the north. It has been held up since 2015 due to a disagreement over fees and United States sanctions against Russian state conglomerate Rostec.
In November, Russian officials visited Pakistan for three-day-long negotiations to finalize work on the project, the biggest infrastructure deal with Russia since the early 1970s when the Soviet Union set up the Pakistan Steel Mills industrial complex at Port Qasim, near Karachi.
“Yes, we are working on the pipeline with Russians,” Nadeem Babar, special assistant to the prime minister on petroleum, told Arab News. “The construction of the 1,100 km long pipeline that will transport 1.6 bcfd gas will start in July.”
Babar said it was too early to estimate the cost of the project, but officials had earlier put it between $2-3 billion. Documents submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by the Pakistani government show the cost of the project was estimated at $2.7 billion.
The project will be implemented through a special purpose company to be incorporated in Pakistan, with Pakistan holding majority shares.
During the November 2020 meeting, officials from both nations agreed to sign a protocol for amendment in an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed in 2015 to reflect a revised implementation structure for the project after requisite approvals from the two governments.
Indigenous natural gas contributes around 38 percent to Pakistan’s total primary energy supply mix. Pakistan produces around 4 billion cubic feet per day against an unconstrained demand of 6 bcfd and imports gas to meet the deficit, particularly when demand peaks in winters.
Pakistan has become an emerging buyer in the international LNG market over the last few years, with an increasing gap between demand and supply of gas.
The power sector is Pakistan’s largest natural gas consumer, followed by residential consumption and the fertilizer industry.
Pakistan says work on Russian gas pipeline project to start in July
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Pakistan says work on Russian gas pipeline project to start in July
- The 1,100 km long pipeline will transport 1.6 billion cubic feet per day of regasified liquefied natural gas from the cities of Karachi to Kasur
- The gas pipeline project is the biggest infrastructure deal with Russia since the early 1970s, when the Soviet Union set up Pakistan Steel Mills
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
