MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Pakistan and Russia are in discussions to build a new steel plant in the city of Karachi in the Sind province, where an old iron works already stands, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said in an interview with TASS.

The iron works in Karachi was built by the Soviet Union, the politician noted, adding that it operated for many years. "Now, we either need a whole new facility or to rebuild the existing one. I do not represent the government of Pakistan, as I’m the parliament speaker, but as far as I know, Russia and Pakistan are working together to tackle the issue," he said.

Islamabad wants to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, the speaker added. "We have discussed this with the Russian government. We need to move on this issue, the sooner the better," he noted.