Andrey Fedorov, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Karachi, suggested that if Pakistan chooses to reestablish official ties with Russia, the country could access oil and related products at reduced prices. The message came through a spokesperson from TASS and highlights Moscow’s willingness to extend favorable terms to partners that maintain cordial relations with Russia. The statement underscores Russia’s interest in supplying affordable energy to friendly states, including Pakistan, and signals that a formal request from the Pakistani government would be met with a concrete offer for cheaper oil. Fedorov also recalled discussions on this topic that occurred during a prior visit by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to Moscow, noting that while the dialogue touched on the subject, no binding agreement was reached at that time. The exchange reflects the broader strategy of aligning energy resources with diplomatic rapport, and it places Pakistan at the center of conversations about affordable energy supplies from Russia.
Shafkat Ali Khan, who previously served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, announced a definitive commitment to advance the Pakistan Stream project. This project aims to enhance energy infrastructure and create a direct route for the delivery of natural gas from the region to meet growing domestic demand. The Pakistan Stream concept has been positioned as a key initiative in the bilateral energy dialogue, with officials signaling progress toward its realization. In parallel, the North-South gas pipeline initiative has a legacy dating back to an agreement signed in 2015 between the two nations. The proposed line would stretch approximately 1,100 kilometers and is planned to accommodate a substantial annual throughput of 12.4 billion cubic meters of gas. This scale of capacity would significantly impact regional energy security and economic development, offering Pakistan a more reliable source of gas over the long term.
By 2021, the two governments decided to rename the joint gas pipeline project Pakistan Stream, aligning it with a broader push to streamline cross-border energy cooperation. The renaming reflected a shift toward a clearer branding of the collaboration and a commitment to advancing infrastructure that can support growing energy needs in the region. Across these developments, the underlying theme remains a coordinated effort to expand energy ties between Russia and Pakistan, leveraging strategic projects to support economic growth, stabilize energy supplies, and strengthen bilateral ties in a global context where energy diplomacy plays a pivotal role.