Baku to start shipping ‘cheap’ LNG from next month

Following a two-day visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Azerbaijan on Thursday agreed to start shipments of LNG cargoes to Pakistan at “cheaper rates” from next month, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister held a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at Zagulba Palace wherein it was decided that Azerbaijan will start sending shipments of LNG to Pakistan from next month. Every month, one cargo on concessional rates will reach Pakistan. At a joint press stakeout following the bilateral meeting, PM Sharif and President Aliyev announced Azerbaijan Airlines agreed to introduce flights between Islamabad and Baku. Azerbaijan Airlines will also operate one flight to Karachi every week. They also agreed to enhance the number of military exercises, besides exploring the avenues of cooperation in the areas of energy, investment, and education. During the meeting, PM Sharif informed the Azeri president that the federal cabinet had approved the LNG deal with Azerbaijan.