September 19, 2022
2 mins read

Pakistan mulls importing Russian oil

If the proposal is materialised it will be a landmark development given that Pakistan imports oil from Gulf countries and in the past Saudi Arabia and the UAE supplied Pakistan oil on deferred payment…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan can import oil from Russia on deferred payment as both countries are in talks to discuss the possibility, a senior government functionary revealed on Sunday after the recent meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russia President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand, media reports said.

The official, who was part of the Sharif’s delegation, said the Prime Minister held at least three meetings with President Putin, Express Tribune reported.

“One was formal and the rest were informal,” the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said.

“What we have discussed during the recent interaction with the Russian side is the possibility of importing oil on deferred payment,” the official said, the report said.

Russia has shown inclination to consider the proposal, the official said.

If the proposal is materialised it will be a landmark development given that Pakistan imports oil from Gulf countries and in the past Saudi Arabia and the UAE supplied Pakistan oil on deferred payment, Express Tribune reported.

It is not clear if the government can pursue the option given the likely opposition from the United States.

A source in the foreign office disclosed that the US has never explicitly asked Pakistan not to import oil from Russia but “advised us that it is better if we don’t enter into such venture with Russia”.

Former prime minister Imran Khan has repeatedly accused the US for being behind his ouster in April. Imran said he was punished for pursuing an �independent foreign policy’ particularly for his efforts to deepen ties with Russia. The US has always denied meddling in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

The recent meeting between Shehbaz and Putin, according to observers, dispelled such conspiracy theories.

The transcript released by the Russia side after the meeting between Shehbaz and Putin did not drop any hint if Moscow was not willing to work with the new government often labelled as the US “puppet” by Imran and his supporters, Express Tribune reported.

ALSO READ: IMF teams up with int’l community to support flood-hit Pakistan

Previous Story

Jaishankar’s US visit: What’s all on agenda

Next Story

‘India should be in vicinity of US economy in 20 years’

Latest from -Top News

Modi Eyes Trade Deals in Maldives

PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom, starting Wednesday….reports Asian Lite

PM Modi Due in UK

PM Modi’s visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23–24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country….reports Asian Lite News Prime

US Brings Up Old Claim, India Pushes Back

US Raises Trump’s India-Pakistan Claim at UN; India Reaffirms Bilateral Stand…reports Asian Lite News The US brought President Trump’s May claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict to the Security Council, but New

Dhaka in Tight Spot Over US Tariffs

The US has identified non-tariff barriers in 13 sectors, including medicine, agriculture, and the environment, and has set nearly half a dozen conditions for effective action. Bangladesh, grappling with sluggish economic growth
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan’s Growth Hits Snag, Slows to 1%

The slow growth rate also emphasises the negative impacts of

Baloch rights group stages protests in Germany

The protest was organized during the commemoration of the International