India announces to waive off 5pc duty on LNG import

Pakistan and India were in talks since March for the deal of LNG. In this regard it was decided that the talks would be held in Islamabad in the second week of August.

A high-level Indian delegation is expected to visit Pakistan mid-August to finalize a deal on sale of 200 Million Cubic Feet per Day (mmcfd) of LNG.

According to Petroleum Ministry sources, all the modalities other than settling on the price of the commodity have been finalized between the two countries.

India has proposed to lay a 110 kms pipeline from Jalandhar to the Wagha border via Amritsar to supply natural gas to Pakistan. While Pakistan will lay down pipeline of 30 KM length to bring the gas to its network.

Government of Pakistan was reluctant to import LNG from India due to high duty but now it is hoped that the dispute on price would be resolved between the two countries and import of LNG from India can then begin within 9 months via Wagha Border.