Russia has expressed readiness to extend financial and technical assistance to the Islamabad government in order to complete the multi-billion-dollar pipeline under construction to carry natural gas from Iran to Pakistan.The offer was made by Russian Deputy Energy Minister Yury Sentyurin on Wednesday during talks between Pakistani and Russian energy officials in Islamabad, Pakistans English-language newspaperThe Newsreported.
The report added that a Russian private joint stock company has shown willingness to provide technical and financial assistance for the mega project.
Both sides have decided that Pakistan should prepare a draft agreement and then send it to Russia.
The Russian officials would then examine the draft agreement and make a decision on extending financial and technical assistance to Pakistan for the gas pipeline project.
The final construction phase of the IP pipeline was inaugurated on March 11.
Iran has already built 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil and is helping to build the 700-kilometer part of the pipeline on the Pakistani side.
The IP pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
By Press TV
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