"Investment from China in this project to the tune of $4.8 billion sends a message loud and clear that Pakistan is a place where Chinese companies and investors continue to show their trust and faith," Sharif said.

During the event, speeches were made by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ali Raza, China Atomic Energy Agency Deputy Director Liu Jing and CNNC General Manager Gu Jun.

Saudi Arabia previously signed in February 2019 several memorandums of understanding for an investment of US$21bn in various sectors of the Pakistani economy, including for the project of a deep conversion refinery and petrochemical complex with an investment of US$12bn.

This is the third time this month that Pakistan failed to complete an LNG tender for July, and the country’s inability to purchase fuel threatens to exacerbate electricity shortages just as hotter weather boosts air conditioning and power demand.

Sources said Pakistan is looking at countries like Afghanistan and Tajikistan given the significant price difference compared to the South African coal, which accounts for around 70% of Pakistan's imports.

Finance minister Shaukat Tarin told the Financial Times that a deal with Russia to build the multibillion-dollar Pakistan Stream pipeline “is almost done”.

Россия заинтересована в организации поставок природного газа в Пакистан, добавил Александр Новак.

Важную роль призван сыграть флагманский проект строительства газопровода «Пакистанский поток» протяжённостью более 1100 км и мощностью до 16 млрд куб. м газа в год.

«Строительство газопровода «Пакистанский поток» остаётся флагманским проектом двустороннего сотрудничества России и Пакистана в энергетике, обе страны придают проекту первостепенное значение.

Karachi unit 3 - which like unit 2 is also an 1100 MW Hualong One unit supplied by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) - is expected to generate electricity early next year,