ISLAMABAD: The high-level delegation of Russia had arrived Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss the purchase of crude oil with the Pakistani authorities and the intergovernmental session of Pakistan Russia commission would start from January 18 (Wednesday).
Sources privy to the development said Federal Minister for Commerce Ayaz Sadiq would lead the Pakistani delegation and Russian Energy Minister would lead his side. Minister of State for Petroleum Mussadiq Malik would also participate in the session.
In the session, talks would be held with Russia on cheap crude oil, petrol, diesel and LNG in which relevant officials from the petroleum, economic affairs and foreign ministry divisions would be present. Besides, matters of foreign investment and mutual trade would also be discussed.
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Earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar had said that during his visit to the US in October, he met officials and took up the issue of oil purchase from Russia.
He said back then, he told American authorities that Washington could not stop Pakistan from buying the commodity from Russia because neighbouring India has also been doing the same.
Purchase of Russian crude at cheaper rates has become a hot topic in recent months as prices of energy commodities increase significantly. This has been painful especially for developing economies like Pakistan that rely heavily on petroleum imports to meet their energy needs.
