Russian delegation to arrive in Pakistan for talks on energy, other sectors

A high-level Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk will arrive in Pakistan on September 18 for talks on cooperation in the energy, agricultural and industrial sectors.

A senior official told Nukta the delegation will meet representatives from the ministries of petroleum, energy and trade and may sign pacts on trade, energy, finance and industry during its two-day visit to Islamabad.

Islamabad and Moscow will also hold in-depth discussions on the procurement of crude oil and LNG as well as the development of gas infrastructure in Pakistan, he added.

Both sides may also discuss the import of oil at cheap prices as this can help Pakistan save dollars.

According to the official, the visiting delegation will also hold discussions on amplifying trade and investments, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Astana, had discussed bilateral trade.

Pakistan had issued a Statutory Regulatory Order in June 2023 to open barter trade with Russia, Iran and Afghanistan. However, the official said that there has been no progress on barter trade with any of these countries.

Russia's barter trade model is different, and officials would now discuss how Islamabad can start barter trade with Moscow, he said.

He also said that a high-level Pakistan ministerial delegation may also visit Russia next month to negotiate the possibility of long-term cooperation to acquire gas and oil and increase bilateral trade.