ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexey Overchuk, arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, the foreign office said.
Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount as high prices caused by geopolitical tensions have caused fuel prices to more than double in Pakistan. Pakistan also received its first shipment of liquified petroleum gas from Russia last September, marking Islamabad’s second major Russian energy purchase.
“Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk will hold meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan said on Tuesday about the Russian deputy PM’s Islamabad visit.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan and Russia enjoyed “cordial relations based on goodwill, amity and trust, which is reflected in the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation including in trade, energy and connectivity.”
Energy imports make up the majority of Pakistan’s external payments and discounted imports from Russia offer a respite as Islamabad faces an economic crisis. It is targeting 100,000 bpd of imports from Russia, compared with the total 154,000 bpd of crude it imported in 2022, in the hopes that will lower its import bill, address a foreign exchange crisis and keep a lid on inflation.
However, the benefits are being offset by increased shipping costs and lower quality refined products compared with the fuels produced with crude from Pakistan’s main suppliers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As a long-standing Western ally and the arch-rival of neighboring India, which historically is closer to Moscow, analysts say the crude deal would have been difficult for Pakistan to accept, but its financing needs are great.
Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit
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Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit
- Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount
- Pakistan also received first shipment of LPG from Russia last September
Pakistan Navy ship visits Maldives as part of regional maritime security cooperation
- Pakistani naval ships regularly visit strategic ports in friendly countries to enhance interoperability
- Islamabad says regular visits of Pakistan Navy ships to Maldives reflect the strong bilateral relations
KARACHI: A Pakistan Navy ship arrived in the Maldives on an ongoing overseas deployment aimed at fostering regional maritime security cooperation, the navy said on Sunday.
Upon arrival at the Port of Male, Pakistan Navy Ship Saif was warmly welcomed by Maldivian authorities, according to Pakistan Navy’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR).
During the visit, the Pakistan Navy’s mission commander held meetings with the military leadership of Maldives and visited the High Commission of Pakistan.
“During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, naval engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed,” the DGPR said in a statement.
Pakistani naval ships regularly visit strategic ports in friendly countries to boost maritime cooperation and joint deployment concepts.
During the ship’s stay in Maldives, government officials, ambassadors of various countries, and members of the diplomatic community visited PNS Saif. After the port call, the Pakistani naval conducted a passage exercise with Maldives Coast Guard vessels.
“Regular visits of Pakistan Navy ships to Maldives reflect the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and will further enhance interoperability between the naval forces,” the DGPR added.
