Media reported about Pakistan's resumption of Russian oil imports from January 2025

The Pakistani authorities have reached a key agreement with Russia on resumption of crude oil imports, its provisions are to take effect from January 2025. This was reported by the Pakistani newspaper The News on December 4.

It is noted that the relevant decision was taken in Moscow during a meeting of the intergovernmental commission, which was attended by representatives of both countries.

"Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) will import 12 batches of crude oil from Russia during the year in accordance with the new agreement reached between the two countries," a senior Pakistani government official who participated in the meeting told the media.

Energy Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, who led the country's delegation, moderated the discussions. According to the trade agreement, Pakistan will import one shipment of crude oil per month.

It is known that Pakistan Refining Company (PRL) will import Russian crude oil at reduced prices. The profit that the refinery will get will be used for modernization project under the policy of building new oil fields.

Earlier, on October 11, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani leader Asif Ali Zardari exchanged mutual invitations to visit each other's countries at a meeting in Ashgabat and confirmed their intention to intensify bilateral ties in all areas.

Before that, on October 3, Pakistan's Minister of Privatization, Investment and Communications Abdul Alim Khan told Izvestia that the republic is interested in increasing trade turnover with Russia, which reached a record $1 billion in 2023. Pakistan is also interested in developing barter trade with Russia - it all depends on the capabilities of Russian companies, Alim Khan said.

In early July, Putin met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The Russian leader said that the relations between the two states are developing in a businesslike and friendly manner. He noted the growth of trade turnover and pointed out that the countries have "very good" prospects. Sharif, for his part, thanked Putin for the delivery of Russian oil to Pakistan.