Pakistan lacks infrastructure to import Russian gas

The import of gas from Russia is still a distant dream for Pakistan despite the two countries’ willingness to play ball. Analysts say the renewed discussion around gas imports from Russia won’t amount to much — at least in the short term — for two reasons. One, lack of infrastructure to handle gas imports; and two, inadequate capacity in the existing pipeline system to transport gas from one point to another. “Gas wouldn’t start flowing anytime soon even if we bought it today. The infrastructure isn’t there. The issue has to be addressed on a long-term basis,” said Tahir Abbas, head of research at brokerage Arif Habib Ltd, while speaking to Dawn on Tuesday. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the press on Monday Russia was willing to sell natural gas to Pakistan through the “infrastructure of Central Asia or in a swap from the territory of Iran”.