Pakistan Head of Chancery at the Pakistan High Commission Asim Khan has disclosed to newsmen in Abuja that his country has commenced buying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of efforts to deepen the economic relationship with Nigeria.
According to Khan, the first consignment of 70,000 metric tons of gas arrived at Pakistan’s Port Qasim in Karachi.
He said that the importation marked the beginning of a major business expansion between Nigeria and Pakistan in the oil and gas sector.
“In the future, we are expecting much trade in this as well as in other sectors,’’ he said.
The diplomat said that Pakistan utilised gas heavily for both domestic and generation purposes.
Before to the commencement of gas importation from Nigeria, Pakistan was importing from Qatar to meet it’s domestic gas needs.
As the relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan waxes stronger, Pakistan also recently opened scholarship offer for about 50 Nigerians for undergraduate studies in science-related courses at some of its higher institutions.
“In the future, we are expecting much trade in this as well as in other sectors,’’ he said.
Prior to the commencement of gas importation from Nigeria, Pakistan was importing from Qatar to meet it’s domestic gas needs.
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and Pakistan reached US$56 million in 2010. Pakistan exported $37million worth of goods to Nigeria while it imported $19 million worth of goods from the Nigeria. Pakistan main export items includes textile garments, home appliances, surgical equipment and rice. Nigeria also imports military hardware from Pakistan.
