Foreign Office defends purchase of Russian oil
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office spokesperson today defended the government’s strategy of importing crude oil from Russia at a discounted price.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, the FO spokesperson said that the purchase of affordable crude oil from Russia was a priority at this difficult economic situation. She said that it will end energy shortages, and reduce high cost of energy due to dependence on imported petroleum.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “The process of procuring petroleum from Russia started a last year. We were able to strike a deal with Russia and the first shipments reached Karachi this week.”
“For Pakistan, access to affordable oil imports has been a priority as the country faces a difficult economic situation, energy shortages and high cost of energy due to dependence on imported petroleum…This [Russian oil] will have high benefits for the Pakistani people,” the FO spokesperson said.
Talking about the military courts, she said that Pakistan is a country of laws and constitution. Any actions of the government with regard to the events of May 9 will be in accordance with our laws and the Constitution, she added.
Russian crude oil reaches Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared the good news with the people saying that the first Russian crude oil cargo today reached Karachi.
Pakistan has purchased Russian crude oil at a discounted rate in comparison with the international market price.
“Today is a transformative day. We are moving one step at a time toward prosperity, economic growth, energy security, and affordability,” PM Shehbaz said.
He stated that the arrival of the first-ever Russian oil cargo in Pakistan was the beginning of a “new relationship between Pakistan and the Russian Federation”.
“I commend all those who remained part of this national endeavor and contributed to translating the promise of Russian oil import into reality,” the prime minister added.
The United States and European Union have capped the Russian crude oil price at $60/barrel.
However, it is believed that the Pakistan government has purchased Russian oil at a lower than this price. The government, nonetheless, will not disclose the actual price of the discounted Russian crude oil as per its commitment to the Russian authorities.
