KARACHI: The Pakistani government is scheduled to discuss a long-term program for the import of discounted crude oil from Russia with the administration in Moscow next week, officials confirmed on Friday, as the South Asian state seeks to diversify its energy supplies at cheaper rates.
A Pakistani delegation, headed by the interim energy minister, Muhammad Ali, will attend the Russian Energy Week 2023 on October 11-13 at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall in the Russian capital.
Pakistan has already started imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
“The Pakistani delegation will be led by the energy minister along with the secretary petroleum to participate in energy week and exhibition,” Shahbaz Tahir Nadeem, the petroleum division spokesperson, told Arab News.
“Talks with Russia for a long-term deal [related to the oil import] are already going on and that may be discussed during the upcoming visit,” he added prudently without divulging further details.
Another petroleum division official, however, said the delegation would hold talks with Russian officials over the subject on the sidelines of the event.
The official, who declined to be named, informed the Pakistani delegation would also discuss LNG import options and the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP), formerly known the North-South gas pipeline, during the meeting with the Russians.
The PSGP is a project jointly implemented by the two countries in Pakistan.
The petroleum division official informed the paperwork was being finalized by the participants with an option of asking Russians to fix the supply of discounted crude oil at $60 per barrel under the deal.
The official said both sides would also consider the progress on setting up Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a legal entity, agreed between them but which has not been formed yet. He added the SPV’s absence was also causing delay in the long-term deal materialization.
The collaboration between Islamabad and Moscow in the energy sector stems from a government-to-government (G2G) agreement signed earlier this year. This move by the South Asian nation is aimed at expanding its sources of energy imports while securing cost-effective options.
Under the G2G deal Pakistan has already imported 100,000 ton of crude oil in June this year which prompted then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif to describe it as a “transformative day” for his economically struggling country.
The crude oil import was followed by a delivery of 100,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Pakistan by Moscow through Iran late last month.
This week Cnergyico oil refinery announced to have imported the first shipment of Russian crude oil consisting 100,000 metric ton, under private arrangement.
Pakistan plans to import 20 percent of its total oil requirement from Russia under discounted rates, according to the former energy minister, Musadik Malik, who made the announcement in May this year.
Pakistan to discuss long-term deal for discounted crude oil import from Russia next week
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Pakistan to discuss long-term deal for discounted crude oil import from Russia next week
- A senior official says Pakistan wants to explore the option of securing Russian oil supply at the fixed price of $60
- The discussions over bilateral energy sector cooperation will be held on the sidelines of an energy event in Moscow
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet draws ‘strong interest’ at Riyadh defense exhibition
- Jets showcased as Pakistan seeks to expand defense exports
- Interest in JF-17 has heightened after May 2025 conflict with India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet has drawn “strong interest” at the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, Pakistan’s state broadcaster said on Sunday, as Islamabad promotes the aircraft to international buyers at one of the region’s largest defense industry events.
The exhibition brings together defense officials, manufacturers and military delegations from dozens of countries, offering a platform for arms exporters to showcase equipment and pursue new contracts amid heightened global and regional security concerns.
Saudi Arabia has sought to position Riyadh as a regional hub for defense and aerospace exhibitions, using such events to foster partnerships and attract international manufacturers as part of broader diversification efforts.
Last year Islamabad signed a mutual defense pact with Riyadh and is reportedly discussing another defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, although details have not been made public.
“At the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder has attracted strong interest from visitors and defense experts, standing out among fighter jets displayed by the US, Saudi Arabia and other countries,” state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported.
Islamabad is attending the exhibition in the backdrop of talks with at least 13 countries, six to eight of which are in an advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China as well as training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, according to recent media reports.
Interest in the JF-17 jets has been bolstered by its operational visibility following the Pakistan-India military confrontation in May 2025, which Pakistani officials and defense analysts have cited as reinforcing the aircraft’s combat credibility.
Islamabad has increasingly positioned the JF-17 as a cost-effective multirole combat aircraft for countries seeking alternatives to high-end Western fighter jets. The aircraft is already in service with several foreign air forces and remains central to Islamabad’s defense export strategy.
Countries engaged in talks include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria as well as the government in eastern Libya led by Khalifa Haftar. Discussions on JF-17s and other weapons with Bangladesh and Iraq have been publicly acknowledged by Pakistan’s military, although more details have not been made public.
Almost all the potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations, like Pakistan. Many are from the predominantly Muslim Middle East, where Pakistan has historically been a security provider.
Separately, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif met his Saudi counterpart, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, at the sidelines of the event.
Asif congratulated the Saudi leadership and the defense minister on the “successful and splendid” organization of the World Defense Show, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“He described this global defense event as an important milestone in promoting defense cooperation in the region,” Radio Pakistan said.
