Pipeline politics

The pipeline from Karachi to Kasur has been longing for Russian expertise, and it is high time it got going

In pursuit of energy, Pakistan is forging a long-term relationship with Russia which will see it through in power politics as well.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow underscored how important oil and gas are in state-centric relations. The point that both the countries are prepared to seek an out-of-the-box solution to further their cooperation on ground by tapping avenues that are still free from American sanctions is an enlightened approach. It, however, remains to be seen how far can the flagship economic project of Stream Gas Pipeline can go in an era of revulsion and day-to-day changing ground realities taking into account the marching of Russian troops into Ukraine. But the good point is that the deft diplomacy exhibited by Pakistan towards Russia will keep it more or less free from political connotations, and economic synergies can take a leap forward.

PM Imran’s two-day visit was focused on prospective energy-related projects, and other issues pertaining to defence and foreign relations were on the backburner. Though the $2.5 billion Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline project has been on the agenda since 2015, it is a good omen that bilateralism has come into play to realise it on ground. This at a time when CPEC’s first phase is almost in its completion, and the second phase will see industrialisation take root is a promising move. But again both the countries will have to do some tightrope walking, and concentrate on modalities and execution, rather than making it a bizarre media exercise. The 1,100 kilometers long pipeline from Karachi to Kasur has been longing for Russian expertise, and it is high time it got going.

Pakistan has a bonanza in the wings as it coordinates new projects with Russia, which sits with a portfolio of $14 billion in its gas infrastructure. This is a resounding development. Reports say Moscow is also willing to revive the infructuous Sovietera Steel Mills in Karachi that it built in 1974. The junk dead-wood is a liability in the annals of our budget-making and it is a great beginning that it is being rejuvenated. Last but not least, there are many initiatives in technology transfer and industrial amalgamations that can be reworked with Russia, and this is where the new engagement should look into.

The point of concern, however, is that this summit meeting didn’t see any signing of agreements, and the rubbing of shoulders was restricted to reassurance. This needs to be looked into in any probability and given the lackluster that sets in after such high-profile visits, this new synergy should not go waste. It is common knowledge that both the countries had off and on gone back on their understanding and that is squarely evident from the fate of Karachi-Khushab pipeline being in doldrums to this day. Pakistan has been a victim of circumstances and geopolitical upheavals when it comes to big-ticket projects with its neighbours. The fate of $7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is a case in point. To this day the hampered constructions gather dust as Pakistan suffers from energy deficiency. Let it be a New Deal with Moscow.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2022.

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